MacDonald loses Auckland numbers game

Auckland's statistics offered a good and bad news scenario for versatile loose forward Angus MacDonald.

MacDonald had been a consistent choice and performer in this season's NPC, at No 8 and openside flanker, but those repeat selections counted against him for tomorrow's meeting with Waikato.

MacDonald has been shunted to the bench, the unlucky loser in the battle with captain Justin Collins, Daniel Braid and national squad contender Jerome Kaino.

In another interesting decision, loosehead prop Nick White has been preferred ahead of former All Black Saimone Taumoepeau for the match at Eden Park.

Kaino and Derren Witcombe have returned from last weekend's All Black duties, while others such as Doug Howlett, Joe Rokocoko, Ali Williams and Keven Mealamu will reappear at various intervals.

Kaino's availability gave coach Pat Lam a selection poser, one he solved after analysing the team statistics. MacDonald was the victim.

"When I sat down to figure out who I was going to leave out it came down to game time and Angus has played a lot," Lam said of his loose forward options.

Auckland's backline has stayed intact, with no place yet for recovering halfback Steve Devine. He is on the bench, apparently recovered from the headaches which followed his concussion in the first game against North Harbour this season.

After minimal work during the All Black programme, Marty Holah will boost the firepower in the Waikato loose trio.

Holah, who turns 29 tomorrow, will lead the visitors' defensive line, one which will have to be far less porous than it was last week against Wellington, if it is to upset the competition leaders.

All Black wing Sitiveni Sivivatu has been sent to the gym to strengthen the muscles around the damaged posterior cruciate ligament injury in his knee.

Medical opinion is that Sivivatu cannot aggravate the injury by playing but the wing is struggling, mentally, to cope with the problem.

Solo Korovata comes on to the wing, halfback Brendon Leonard replaces Isaac Boss, who leaves soon for Ireland, and Philemon Toleafoa is reinstated at loosehead prop.