All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw will start in his customary No 7 position for Canterbury for their Air NZ Cup semifinal against Hawke’s Bay in Christchurch on Saturday.

McCaw started off the bench in last week’s quarterfinal win over Tasman as coach Rob Penney eased him back from a break after international duty.

McCaw swaps places with George Whitelock in the only change to the starting lineup from last week.

Canterbury: Scott Hamilton, Paul Williams, Casey Laulala, Tim Bateman, James Paterson, Colin Slade, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read (captain), Richie McCaw, Hayden Hopgood, Isaac Ross, Michael Paterson, Greg Somerville, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett.

Reserves: Steve Fualau, Owen Franks, Nasi Manu, George Whitelock, Tyson Keats, Hamish Gard, Adam Whitelock.

NZPA