Koonwaiyou 'home' for first shield challenge

Tony Koonwaiyou during the Auckland team training session yesterday. Picture / Brett Phibbs

Tony Koonwaiyou is going "home" in his first challenge for the Ranfurly Shield.

The 22-year-old was confirmed as Auckland's left wing yesterday because of hamstring damage to Joe Rokocoko, a decision which meant a return to familiar territory for Koonwaiyou.

He has been a draft pick in the Crusaders for the past two seasons and under the competition rules is expected to rejoin the southerners for the inaugural Super 14 series.

But tomorrow he will be wearing the blue and white hoops of Auckland in the only alteration to the side as they challenge Canterbury's nine-match hold on the famous trophy.

The last time Auckland challenged Canterbury for the shield - successfully in 2003 - Koonwaiyou was on the bench for the visitors but he felt the emptiness of losing the Log of Wood last season to Bay of Plenty.

"I know a lot of these guys so getting a chance to play them in such a game should be awesome," he said.

"All I want is to get more game-time playing the game I love and while Joe's injury is unfortunate, it gives me a chance."

Auckland coach Pat Lam has decided to leave All Blacks Mils Muliaina and Keven Mealamu in the reserves while adding Jerome Kaino to the bench after injury.

"What we have selected is our best 22, who best to start and who best to finish," the coach said.

There has not been the same selection continuity for the Ranfurly Shield holders.

Daniel Carter's recovery and medical clearance from his broken left leg have pushed him into the first five-eighths role because of injuries to Cameron McIntyre and Leon MacDonald.

Coach Aussie McLean revealed he wanted to start MacDonald but the utility was still troubled by a lingering knee problem. Carter would start, though Ben Blair would continue to kick for goal, but the question was whether he would last the entire match after a two-month layoff.

His inclusion allowed Caleb Ralph to return to the wing with a much more solid look to the backline.

Halfback Andrew Ellis makes the start, No 8 Mose Tuiali'i has returned from suspension and Corey Flynn has been reinstated at hooker after a rest.

If the weather forecasters are correct there will be unpleasant conditions for the match, which also doubles as a contest for top qualifier in the NPC.

Lam dismissed suggestions that his side would suffer more because of their attacking intent and that their risky style in adverse weather would suit Canterbury's ability to punish mistakes.

It would be imperative for Auckland to protect their possession.

"This is one team [Canterbury] that will punish you big-time. We got punished in Taranaki and that was a good wake-up for us but even more so against a side like Canterbury, they are the best at doing it.

"So it is huge that we look after the ball," Lam said.

Auckland would not abandon their attacking mindset, it was a policy which had already taken them much further this season than last and it was the only approach for a Ranfurly Shield challenge.

McLean acknowledged that his side's defence had been stingy this season but he wanted more from his attack tomorrow.

"I am not going to be surprised by Auckland's enterprise, they are playing attractive rugby as they did in 2003 when they were very successful as well," McLean said.

"It is a matter of stopping them but we also have to get our attack going. It has not been as good as we would have liked this year.

"This is a huge game. Outside the tests in New Zealand this is the next best thing."