If it ain't broke, fix it anyway - Lam rings the changes in Auckland team

Andrew Blowers will lead a new-look team. Sandra Mu / Getty Images

It is the coach's perennial dilemma - do you stick with what's working, even if it's a bit clunky, or ignore the results table and act when you think it's required?

Auckland's Pat Lam has acted. So, despite a four-from-four winning record, a spot at the top of pool A in the Air New Zealand Cup, and a difficult opponent in Wellington in the capital tonight, he has made seven changes to his starting XV.

Lam was not happy with what he saw against Bay of Plenty last week. Although Auckland rattled up 45 points - 39 unanswered at one point - he decided things needed a freshen-up, and perhaps one or two players needed a reminder of their responsibilities.

So Lam has replaced the entire front row, rejigged an all-All Black loose forward trio, and put the skilled and versatile Isa Nacewa on the bench.

The proof will be in the performance at the Cake Tin tonight. And it will show how much depth Lam has at his disposal now that his All Blacks are overseas.

Lam has always insisted he was happy with the squad he took on a pre-season Pacific Islands trip. Having All Blacks back was a bonus.

This is the chance for his players to prove him right.

Andrew Blowers leads the side tonight, the fourth skipper in as many games. There will be interest in the form of speedy wing David Smith, and the return from injury of No 10 Tasesa Lavea.

Wellington have dropped regular first five-eighths Jimmy Gopperth to the bench and blended guile and bluntness in the midfield in the form of Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu.

They were ordinary against North Harbour last weekend. Another loss tonight and they'll be looking over their shoulders.

* Is Sione Lauaki's best position No 8 or No 6?

Waikato coach Warren Gatland has put him at the back of the scrum for his return to the starting XV against Counties Manukau in Hamilton today as he works his way back to fitness after surgery on a pectoral injury.

The extension of that thinking is: can Lauaki offer an option for the All Blacks, where Rodney So'oialo seems the Lone Ranger this season?

Lauaki started at No 8 in two of his seven tests last year: the third match against the Lions at Eden Park, when he was replaced at halftime, and against Scotland in Edinburgh.

Waikato should have too much ammunition today, and they'll be smarting from losing a game they should have won against Otago last weekend.

Counties should be smarting too, at their four-point loss to Northland. The minor consolation is that they maintained their record of nabbing a bonus point in each outing.

They'll be aiming for another one today and are fielding a team including three players familiar with many of their opponents through their Chiefs Super 14 time together - lock Kristian Ormsby, wing Lelia Masaga and centre Niva Ta'auso.

"They've a very physical team," Counties coach Kevin Putt said. "I guess what we're looking for in realistic terms is that we not stand back and that we compete."

* In other games, Northland chase their second consecutive win when they play Hawkes Bay in Whangarei tomorrow, Bay of Plenty should get their their first win when they host Manawatu in Rotorua today and Tasman tackle Taranaki in New Plymouth tomorrow.