Devine given Auckland captaincy

Steve Devine

SYDNEY - Australian-born former All Black halfback Steve Devine will lead Auckland for the first time when they meet New South Wales at Gosford tonight.

Disappointed to miss out on the New Zealand squad who beat the Lions 3-0 this month and the subsequent squad named for the Tri-Nations, Devine can take out his frustrations on a raw-looking NSW team at Central Coast Stadium, north of Sydney.

The former NSW representative sat out Auckland's 24-12 win over Queensland in Brisbane last Wednesday, but was always going to combine with first five-eighths Tasesa Lavea for what should be a free-flowing game tonight.

As expected, coach Pat Lam has rung the changes by selecting his first-choice inside backs pairing after rookies Taniela Moa and Isaia Toe'ava performed with distinction against Queensland.

Moa drops to the bench to cover for Devine while fellow New Zealand under-21 representative Toe'ava moves out a spot to partner Ben Atiga, one of six former All Blacks in the squad, in the midfield.

Wing Doug Howlett, who impressed against Queensland, was likely to have backed up, but has been ruled out because of a slight hamstring strain.

"It's just precautionary and he'll be ready to play Wellington," Lam said of his team's NPC warm-up match on August 6 in Auckland.

In the pack, props Nick White and Daniel Muller join Semisi Telefoni in the front row, while the loose trio look ominous, with Daniel Braid and Jerome Kaino on the flanks.

Reserve hooker John Fonokalafi joined the squad last weekend and will start from the bench in place of the injured Lance Poching.

Although the NSW squad includes 10 debutants, Lam still expected a tough game.

"They've got the same coaching team as the Super 12 and they were very successful," he said. "It's a trial for a lot of them and [fullback] Peter Hewat was outstanding for them in the Super 12."

Hewat, former Wallabies hooker Adam Freier and reserve lock Alex Kanaar are the only players who earned regular Super 12 exposure in the Waratahs' run to the final.

NSW coach Ewen McKenzie said the match was effectively a talent-appraising exercise for the coaching staff.

"We certainly want to win the game but at the same time we need to see identified talent perform in this arena, while also giving other squad members a chance to play against many of the Super 14 players they'll meet in the future."

New South Wales: Peter Hewat, David Alo, Ben Jacobs, Tom Carter, Luke Milton, Tim Donnelly, Dave Rimmer, Wycliff Palu, Will Brame, Alex Kanaar, Marty Wilson, Will Caldwell, Aaron Broughton-Rouse, Adam Freier (captain), Benn Robinson.

Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Troy Takiari, Ben Hand, Hugh Perrett, Josh Holmes, Daniel Halangahu, Clint Eadie.

Auckland: Brent Ward, James Somersett, Ben Atiga, Isaia Toe'ava, Tony Koonwaiyou, Tasesa Lavea, Steve Devine (captain), Angus MacDonald, Daniel Braid, Jerome Kaino, Kurtis Haiu, Brad Mika, Daniel Muller, Semisi Telefoni, Nick White.

Reserves: Gavin Williams, Isa Nacewa, Taniela Moa, Justin Collins, Bryce Williams, Saimone Taumoepeau, John Fonokalafi.

- NZPA