Muliaina now a novice No 13

By WYNNE GRAY

Mils Muliaina has been switched to the unfamiliar duties of centre for Auckland's next difficult NPC mission against competition leaders Waikato.

The 22-year-old utility has been a fullback or wing in his three seasons with Auckland but a cluster of factors will bring him into a comparison with Regan King, who is also a novice centre.

For some time the Auckland selectors have wanted to use Muliaina at centre.

But his absence on sevens duty, injury niggles, suspension and the dependable form of veteran Eroni Clarke combined to thwart those plans.

The chance returned this week when Ben Atiga, the teenage Auckland second five-eighths, did not recover fully from the shoulder damage he suffered in last Friday's bruising match with Canterbury.

Instead of choosing some replacement to slot into that position, the selectors did some serious shuffling.

Clarke moves in a place, Muliaina likewise and Iliesa Tanivula returns to the left wing.

That rearrangement is the significant selection decision about the Auckland side, although Ali Williams replaces Bryce Williams as lock. There could be a further change with halfback Steve Devine still troubled by his dodgy left ankle.

Coach Wayne Pivac did not consider Muliaina's choice at centre to be a gamble for such a crucial match in the scramble for the final four.

"We have given it a lot of thought and we wouldn't do it unless we believed the guy was capable of playing at this level in the position.

"We have had our eye on Muliaina as a centre for some time because we think that is where he could end up in the future.

"He has all the skills required for centre. He brings speed, he has very good ball skills and is strong on defence."

The coaching staff had watched Muliaina play centre in a Blues trial match this season and had stored that detail away for future reference. That future was this Saturday in Hamilton.

Auckland had shown an attacking edge this season and had the best defensive record in the competition. Pivac said some would argue Auckland had an easier NPC draw than others so far but he acknowledged the side's defensive record. It would need to be even more robust against Waikato.

"As long as those stats stay the same at the end of the season we will be happy.

"We are comfortable with our defence but it is going to need to be huge this weekend because Waikato has got probably the best record for scoring tries."

Waikato would bring a different challenge from that posed by Canterbury.

Last Friday, in adverse weather, the defending champions did not have much possession and had not asked too many questions of Auckland's defence.

So far, Waikato had shown much more attacking flair. At home, in their own environment, they would be a potent combination.

This week Auckland first five-eighths Lee Stensness struggled with the flu but he trained yesterday. He will start on Saturday.

Pivac said there was no intention to start Carlos Spencer at five-eighths after he moved there for much of the second half against Canterbury.

Auckland: Carlos Spencer, Doug Howlett, Mils Muliaina, Eroni Clarke, Iliesa Tanivula, Lee Stensness, Steve Devine, Xavier Rush (capt), Daniel Braid, Justin Collins, Bradley Mika, Ali Williams, Kees Meeuws, Keven Mealamu, Nick White.

Res: James Christian, Soane Tonga'uiha, Bryce Williams, Angus MacDonald, David Gibson, Sam Tuitupou, Brent Ward.

* Northland hooker Jason Hammond was cleared with a censure after appearing before the New Zealand Rugby Union judiciary on a stamping charge yesterday.

* A groin injury has ruled Canterbury co-captain Aaron Mauger out of Saturday's Ranfurly Shield clash against North Harbour.

The Canterbury XV will be announced today but coach Aussie McLean confirmed last night that Mauger would be missing.