KEY POINTS:
The last time Auckland played North Otago for the Ranfurly Shield the record book took one hell of a clobbering.
So did North Otago. Auckland's 139-5 win in 1993 remains the biggest in Shield history. John Kirwan's eight tries and 40 points are also records that still stand and may never be broken.
Auckland's coaches in today's rematch, Pat Lam and Shane Howarth, were in the team that day. Lam remembers it fondly, and not just because he scored a hat-trick.
"I remember they did the wall on us right at the very beginning of the game and scored and were up 5-0 after 10 minutes. That was our experience of the Shield on tour. It is great to be able to bring it back."
With a youthful Auckland clearly still trying to find their feet, a repeat of that 1993 massacre is unlikely, Lam admitted.
He will settled for an improved display and a significant reduction in handling errors from last week's 54-3 victory over Poverty Bay in Gisborne.
"I was pleased with the structure [last week] but there were far too many errors. There was a big emphasis at training, driven by the senior players, about attitude and the way we look after the ball."
Lam has made several changes, the most notable being the return of Isaia Toeava at fullback in place of Chris Mahony.
Young winger Mapa Tuipulotu has also earned a start after impressing off the bench last week. A relative unknown, the 19-year-old discovery of Auckland sevens coach Eric Rush has little rugby background to speak of. But the former Selwyn College pupil scored a try off the bench last week and has impressed Lam, who said he reminded him of Inga Tuigamala at the same age.
With Daniel Braid on All Blacks duty and Onosa'I Tololima Auva'a still injured, Peter Saili will start at openside. Senior lock Jay Williams is recovering from illness and has been replaced in the starting line-up by Dean Budd.
Starting places for the season-opener against Counties-Manukau were still up for grabs, Lam said.
"At the end of the day the players know the jersey doesn't come lightly. These are the best that we have got. It is up to them to take the opportunity to cement their places."
North Otago have never won the Shield. A 14-0 defeat by an All Black-ladened Canterbury in 1971 is rated as their best effort in 10 unsuccessful challenges that date back to 1938. No prizes for guessing which year ranks as their worst.
