Rugby: Auckland wary of hot Steelers

Sonny Bill Williams. Photo / Getty Images

Sonny Bill Williams will return to rugby off the bench tonight as opponents Auckland seek to halt the Steelers' late ITM Cup Premiership semifinal run in Pukekohe.

What is certain is that the Steelers will not miss 47 tackles as Waikato did last week against Auckland, so this will be a demonstrably tougher contest for Tom McCartney's men.

"We're not getting ahead of ourselves," said Auckland coach Paul Feeney. "Waikato didn't have their best night at the office. They missed 14 or 15 tackles on George Moala alone. We don't like to miss 14 or 15 in one game."

Moala's battle on the wing with a resurgent Frank Halai should be fun.

Feeney has been impressed with the Steelers' recent form. They seem to have even tidied up some lineout issues that plagued their early matches. Jordan Taufua scored off an effective lineout drive against the Stags, while Jimmy Tupou is a good leaper in the middle.

"They've sorted out a few things within their camp and they are playing back to their normal standard ... On their day, Counties can beat anyone. Everyone in New Zealand knows that," said Feeney.

An Auckland victory, which has come to pass every year since 2008 - though the last three seasons have seen close contests - would confirm them in the semifinals, and they could rise as high as third, unless Canterbury can arrest their slump. The Steelers must win both their last two games, and hope Auckland stumble against the Taniwha on Saturday.

Lock Patrick Tuipulotu will start tonight, but will not play against Northland. However, the two Charlies - Faumuina and Piutau - along with Steven Luatua, will be available for that clash.

Francis Saili is back from form exile and will line up at No13, with Hadleigh Parkes, who punched plenty of holes in the Waikato line, moving in to second-five. That seasoned pair will be tasked with shutting down the in-form Bundee Aki and Rey Lee-Lo, not to mention Williams.

Several other players were bracketed, but hooker and skipper Tom McCartney is back, as is lock Liaki Moli.

Steelers coach Tana Umaga is happier with his charges' work, and says they are still in with a chance.

"They are starting to gel and get to grips with what's crucial for our game, but we've got to keep going."

Umaga was happy to endorse his halfback August Pulu should he be elevated to the All Blacks, after Tawera Kerr-Barlow was ruled out for the season.

"Augie is starting to get back to some of his best form. He's been outstanding for us in the last two or three games. I think he's ready for it."

Kickoff tonight is at 7.35 from ECOLight Stadium.