Auckland side face semi without All Black pair

Injury has ruled out All Blacks Ali Williams and Doug Howlett from the Auckland team to play Wellington in the Air New Zealand Cup semi-final at Eden Park on Friday.

However, tighthead prop John Afoa makes a welcome return from a career threatening back injury and will anchor the Auckland scrum.

The 23-year-old two-test All Black's career was in jeopardy last month when he was diagnosed with a bulging disc in his lower back following Auckland's 22-22 draw with Waikato on September 16.

It has been feared Afoa would be gone for at least the duration of the national provincial competition but scans cleared him of serious damage and the problem eased without the need for surgery.

Afoa emerged unscathed from two scrummaging sessions since resuming training with the squad last week and was named by coach Pat Lam today in a front row also featuring All Blacks Saimone Taumoepeau and hooker Keven Mealamu.

Afoa is one of six changes made to the Auckland starting lineup from the side which eliminated Bay of Plenty 46-14 in their quarterfinal last week.

Brent Ward returns to fullback while Ben Atiga moves from the custodian role to centre for benched All Black centre Isaia Toeava.

In the other backline alteration Isa Nacewa comes in for Doug Howlett, who suffered knee ligament damage against the Bay, on the right wing.

Howlett turned up at training today sporting a brace and will not play again for Auckland this season although he still may make the All Blacks end of year tour to France and the UK.

In the forwards openside Daniel Braid relegates Onosa'i Tololima-Auva'a back to the bench while Kurtis Haiu replaces Ali Williams (neck) in the engine room.

Afoa's return sees converted loosehead Nick White revert to the bench.

Lam could be forced to make one further change with halfback Steve Devine (shoulder) bracketed with Taniela Moa.

Auckland:

Brent Ward, Isa Nacewa, Ben Atiga, Sam Tuitupou (captain), Joe Rokocoko, Tasesa Lavea, Steve Devine/Taniela Moa, Jerome Kaino, Daniel Braid, Andrew Blowers, Kurtis Haiu, Brad Mika, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu, Saimone Taumoepeau.

Reserves:

Derren Witcombe, Nick White, Joe Tekori/Jay Williams, Onosa'i Tololima-Auva'a, Taniela Moa/David Gibson, Isaia Toeava, David Smith.

- NZPA