All Blacks back where it all began

Isaia Toeava has played much of his age group and junior rugby with Marist. Picture / Getty Images

All Blacks Doug Howlett and Isaia Toeava will put extra zip into the Marist backline when they make a rare appearance in Auckland club rugby today.

The pair, who are both in the All Blacks Tri-Nations squad, will line up against Pakuranga at Bell Park, using the weekend off to get in some extra matchplay ahead of the international series.

In addition, fringe All Black prop Saimone Taumoepeau will turn out and fingers are crossed that Auckland and Blues lock Kurtis Haiu will be freed to play as well.

Initially Haiu and former test halfback Steve Devine were ruled out by Auckland coach Pat Lam. He names his Air New Zealand Cup squad on Monday before heading to Fiji and Samoa for lead-up games next Thursday.

Howlett will start on the wing and Toeava at second five-eighths today.

One reading of their playing today is that neither is likely to be in the starting XV for next weekend's opening Bledisloe Cup clash against Australia in Christchurch.

Toeava played against Argentina in Buenos Aires last Sunday but Howlett has been off the pitch since the second Irish test at Eden Park on June 17 and probably welcomes a run today.

Taumoepeau played in the tests against Ireland and Scotland at the end of last year, but missed this week's squad of 30 for the Tri-Nations.

It is rare, but not entirely unheard of, for All Blacks to turn out in club rugby in mid-year.

The trio trained on Thursday night and coach Peter Kempson is delighted with their attitude towards today's match, and club rugby in general.

"[All Black selectors] Wayne Smith and Graham Henry have encouraged them to play club rugby if they want to," Kempson said.

"All three are very club orientated and they've fitted in very easily."

Kempson, conscious that bringing in test players, for what is likely to be a one-off occasion this season, could put regular team member's noses out of joint, ran it past those players affected by the trio's return.

"If anybody had a major issue with it we would have reconsidered it. But they've supported it and are all very positive in regard to letting the guys play," he said.

Taumoepeau and Toeava have played much of their age group and junior rugby with Marist while Howlett, a longtime Marist man, told the club early in the year that if he was not required for the All Blacks, his priority would be the club, Kempson added.

Kempson is bemused that while All Blacks are allowed to play, the Auckland squad members aren't.

"It's a bit sad. If All Blacks can do it why can't the Auckland players?" he said.