Atiga on standby if Ward gets called

Auckland have Ben Atiga on standby for their visit to Bay of Plenty tomorrow if their in-form fullback Brent Ward is required for the All Black bench at Eden Park tonight.

The versatile Atiga is listed at centre in the unbeaten, table-topping Auckland side out to stop a third straight loss to the Bay in Tauranga.

Coach Pat Lam is expecting a call this morning to clarify Ward's position, but he needs no one to clarify what the Bay - two losses followed by a narrow win over Taranaki - will offer tomorrow.

"We know we're in for a very physical game. The results of the last three games for both teams mean nothing," he added.

Daniel Braid is back after a shoulder injury on the flank and halfback Steve Devine, who has been troubled by headaches since getting a blow in the North Harbour game on August 13, returns to the bench.

North Harbour coach Allan Pollock will assess the depth of his squad against Northland at Albany tomorrow. He's resting several first choice players, so hooker Roger Dustow, lock Doug Fletcher, flankers Regan Tamihere and Anthony Boric are in.

Halfback Junior Poluleuligaga is out with a calf strain while first five-eighth Jon Elrick gets a chance to cement a spot due to a bad injury suffered by Tusi Pisi in last weekend's draw with Canterbury.

Pollock still expects the form of the last two weeks to continue, despite the changes.

"Playing well, just like winning, is a habit. We've got to keep our standards high," he said.

Northland will be looking for their first points after a poor start.

In other fourth-round games, Southland host Otago in a Highlanders squareoff - with Otago captain Craig Newby in doubt after taking a blow on the head - and Canterbury captain Reuben Thorne is bracketed with Hayden Hopgood at blindside flank for their Ranfurly Shield defence against Taranaki in Christchurch today.