Kenatale Steps Up for Cowan 29 September, 2012 Flying Fijian World Cup halfback Nemia Kenatale will take over the No. 9 jersey from Jimmy Cowan when Southland play Canterbury in Christchurch on Sunday.

Cowan has left New Zealand to take up a contract with English club Gloucester after playing his 102nd game for the Stags in the hard-earned win over Northland in Invercargill on Wednesday night.

Kenatale has impressed in his appearances off the bench this season and he should be the starting halfback for the remainder of the campaign.

Tayler Adams, 18, who was at Kelston Boys High School last year, is the reserve halfback and can also expect to make his Southland debut off the bench.

Kenatale's inclusion is one of four changes as the Stags prepare to play their third game in eight days and coach David Henderson juggles his resources in an attempt to keep his players fresh.

The others are all in the forwards with Brayden Mitchell replacing Jason Rutledge at hooker, Michael Fatialofa replacing Alex Ryan at lock and Scott McKee coming in for Dion Bates on the blindside flank.

Both teams need to win on Sunday. Canterbury are fourth in the premiership with 19 points from four wins and two losses and Southland are fifth in the championship with 15 points from three wins and four losses.

Southland won 25-23 (and claimed the Ranfurly Shield) when the teams last played, in Christchurch last year.

Southland: 15.Marty McKenzie, 14.Junior Ngaluafe, 13.Nathan Hohaia, 12.Cardiff Vaega, 11.Tim Cornforth, 10.Scott Eade, 9.Nemia Kenatale, 8.Elliot Dixon, 7.Tim Boys, 6.Scott McKee, 5.Josh Bekhuis, 4.Michael Fatialofa, 3.Nic Barrett, 2.Brayden Mitchell, 1.Jamie Mackintosh (captain).

Reserves: 16.Tale Tuapati, 17.Tuki Raimona, 18.Alex Ryan, 19.Dion Bates, 20.Tayler Adams, 21.Matt Saunders, 22.Mark Wells.