Coach surveys long list of walking wounded

By WYNNE GRAY

Time has not healed enough of Auckland's injury concerns.

For the first time this NPC season, coach Wayne Pivac delayed his selection because of the lengthening list of those crocked after the defeat against Waikato.

Pivac will not name his side until tomorrow.

He was unwilling to risk any damaged players against Otago this week, especially if the next game against Wellington ended up as a shootout for the last semifinal place.

"This is a critical part of the season, we have to play well against Otago and we also have to make sure we have a fit squad who can front up the week after as well," he said.

It will take some serious sifting by the medical staff to decide who is ready for Saturday's game where Otago will be looking to crack an Eden Park NPC hoodoo against Auckland dating back to 1976.

Two senior players head the list of doubtfuls. Midfield back Eroni Clarke has damaged a knee and tighthead prop Kees Meeuws is struggling to beat an ankle strain to play against his former province.

But Auckland do not have a monopoly on injuries.

Otago hopes that hooker Tom Willis would recover from a neck strain have disappeared, and there are serious doubts whether halfback Byron Kelleher's hamstring strain will repair in time.

However, Otago have a strong replacement with Danny Lee ready to step in and partner his old Counties team-mate Blair Feeney when the side is announced today.

Auckland's other worries include forwards Nick White, Ali Williams, Justin Collins and Daniel Braid and backs Steve Devine, Carlos Spencer, Ben Atiga and Iliesa Tanivula.

Atiga may recover from the shoulder problem that removed him from last week's loss to Waikato and resulted in a disjointed backline.