Former Kiwi joins Auckland squad

Former Melbourne Storm, Manly and Kiwis league standoff Tasesa Lavea has been included in the Auckland NPC squad.

Auckland coach Wayne Pivac named Lavea as a first five-eighth in his 35-member squad to start training on Monday for this year's championship.

The team will be without All Black squad members Keven Mealamu, Kees Meeuws, Ali Williams, Steve Devine, Carlos Spencer, Malili Muliaina, Joe Rokocoko and Doug Howlett for a while.

Second five-eighth Lee Stensness has missed Pivac's squad.

Lavea played a few games for Manly (Northern Eagles) last year, but dropped to the club's reserve grade this year and disappeared from the scene after a punch-up with a team-mate in March. He suffered an injured hand then.

"He's come back home to Auckland," Pivac said yesterday. "He's a guy we had an eye on when he played for the New Zealand secondary schools a few years back, but we lost him."

Melbourne Storm scouts signed Lavea and he was the club's rookie of the year in 1999 before transferring to Manly in 2000. He was also in the Kiwis World Cup squad.

Meanwhile, an agreement between Auckland and Northland will see Derren Witcombe loaned to Auckland and James Arlidge and Mose Tuiali'i transfer to Northland for this year's NPC.

Auckland Rugby Union chief executive officer David White said the transfer of Arlidge and Tuiali'i was an exception to his union's policy of not loaning players to other first division unions.

However, because Witcombe was on loan to Auckland, his board agreed to an exception.

The squad:


Hookers: Travers Bonney (University), Nathan Kemp (Ponsonby), Jarod Tuoro (Waitemata), Derren Witcombe (loan Northland).

Props: John Afoa (University), Chris Heard (University), Soane Tonga'uiha (Ponsonby), Simione Taumeopeau (Marist), Nick White (Waitemata).

Locks: Isoa Domolailai (Marist), Doug Fletcher (Suburbs), Bradley Mika (Otahuhu), Bryce Williams (Suburbs).

Loose forwards: Dan Braid (University), Justin Collins (Marist), Craig de Goldi (Teachers Eastern), Jerome Kaino (University), Sione Lauaki (Waitemata), Angus MacDonald (University), Xavier Rush (Marist).

Halfbacks: David Gibson (Ponsonby), Craig McGrath (Waitemata), Tim Lempriere (University).

First-fives: Orene Ai'i (Otahuhu), Tasesa Lavea (Manly NRL).

Midfielders: Ben Atiga (Ponsonby), Isa Nacewa (Grammar Carlton), Benson Stanley (Ponsonby), Tane Tuipoluto (Grammar Carlton), Sam Tuitupou (Ponsonby).

Wingers: Tony Koonwaiyou (Ponsonby), Willie Rickards (Otahuhu), Iliesa Tanivula (University).

Fullbacks: Shannon Paku (Marist), Brent Ward (University).