Muliaina drafted into right-wing slot

Commonwealth Games sevens gold medallist Malili Muliaina did not have much time to get his feet back on the ground when he returned home on Thursday.

He has been drafted into Auckland's line-up for their warm-up match against Counties Manukau at Pukekohe today, but it will not be at fullback where he played for the Blues for most of this season's Super 12.

The fullback role has gone to 19-year-old New Zealand Colts player Ben Atiga, who will tread a path similar to that of John Kirwan in 1983 and make his debut for Auckland without ever having played senior rugby.

Muliaina will start the match on the right wing.

Halfback Dave Gibson, who is on loan from Otago, starts, but Steve Devine is expected to come off the bench in the second half.

Devine has recovered from an operation to correct problems with an Achilles tendon and has been running freely in training.

Team captain for the season Xavier Rush, who was rested for the Northland match last weekend, will play at No 8.

Coach Wayne Pivac is also likely to give promising 18-year-old prop John Afoa a run in the second spell.

Counties Manukau coach Bruce Robertson has named four 19-year-olds in his starting line-up. The three-quarters, Casey Laulala, Tekori Luteru and Selveni Sivivatu, played in the Wesley College first XV last season, and lock Joshua Katene-Roberts is a product of St Stephens School.

Another of the Commonwealth Games sevens medallists, Amasio Valence, has been included in the reserves, and the amount of game time he gets will depend on his recovery from the sevens tournament.

Auckland: Ben Atiga, Malili Muliaina, Eroni Clarke, Lee Stensness, Iliesa Tanivula, James Arlidge, David Gibson, Xavier Rush (capt), Daniel Braid, Justin Collins, Bradley Mika, Ali Williams, Nick White, James Christian, Scott Palmer. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, John Afoa, Bryce Williams, Sione Lauaki, Sam Tuitupou, Justin Wilson, Steve Devine.

Counties-Manukau: Mark Lawson, Seliveni Sivivatu, Casey Laulala, Duncan Bell, Tekori Luteru, Stephen Donald, Kevin Senio, Robert Afoa-Peterson, Craig Glendinning, Dion Kingi, Semesi Naevo/Joshua Katene-Roberts, Ramon Lindsay, Alan McLean, Grant Henson, Dave Stewart.