KEY POINTS:
Auckland and North Harbour will each welcome back a trio of All Blacks for the next two rounds of the national championship.
Auckland's wobbly frontrow will be shored up by the return of prop John Afoa and hooker Keven Mealamu, while Isaia Toeava is also available to provide some much-needed attacking spark for Saturday's Ranfurly Shield defence against Manawatu.
Harbour, who face fellow strugglers Waikato on Sunday in a battle of the competition's two remaining winless sides, will be boosted by the return of talismanic midfielder Anthony Tuitavake, wing Rudi Wulf and lock Anthony Boric.
Having blown a 22-point lead against Manawatu on Thursday to draw 38-38, Waikato welcome back first five-eighths Stephen Donald and No 8 Sione Lauaki for their trip to the North Shore.
The return of the fringe All Blacks is timely for the three "major" unions, who are in a group of five teams at the foot of the table separated only by points differential.
Undefeated Wellington are the other team to benefit from the All Blacks coaches' desire to get some game time into selected players' legs, with prop Neemia Tialata and halfback Piri Weepu cleared to play over the next two weeks.
Otago flanker Adam Thomson and Southland halfback Jimmy Cowan will play in their sides' round five matches.
Round four kicks off tomorrow night with Counties Manukau hosting Otago at Mt Smart Stadium.
