KEY POINTS:
All Black Troy Flavell will miss Auckland's top-of-the-table Air NZ Cup rugby match against Hawke's Bay in Napier on Thursday night because of a slight hamstring strain.
Coach Pat Lam has rested Flavell as a precaution, today saying the lock/loose forward could have played if the match were a final.
He said Flavell was not worth risking against Hawke's Bay because he could be out for four to six weeks if he aggravated the injury.
Brad Mika comes in at No 8 in a reshuffled loose forward trio, with Jerome Kaino shifting to blindside flanker.
Flavell's omission is one of two changes to the 15 who started the 22-13 win over Taranaki last Friday.
The other is the inclusion of loosehead prop Chris Heard, with Saimone Taumoepeau dropping to the bench.
Unbeaten Auckland are second on the table, while unheralded Hawke's Bay are third and have been one of the surprises of the competition.
Hawke's Bay coach Peter Russell has had the luxury of naming an unchanged starting 15 and match day squad of 22 for the game.
Auckland
Brent Ward, Benson Stanley, Ben Atiga, Sam Tuitupou (captain), David Smith, Isa Nacewa, Taniela Moa, Brad Mika, Daniel Braid, Jerome Kaino, Jay Williams, Kurtis Haiu, John Afoa, Tom McCartney, Chris Heard.
Reserves: Saimone Taumoepeau, Nick White, Stan Haukinima, Charlie Faumuina, Onosa'i Tololima-Auva'a, Grayson Hart, Lachie Munro.
Hawke's Bay
Ben Batger, Justin Wilson, Jason Shoemark, Sam Giddens, Zac Guildford, Matt Berquist, Danny Lee (captain), Grant Webb, Karl Lowe, Michael Johnson, Will Crutchley, Matt Egan, Tom Symes, Hikawera Elliot, Faka'anaua Taumalolo.
Reserves: Jamie Muir, Arden David, Lua Lokotui, Gaorge Naoupu, Chris Eaton, Aayden Clarke, Israel Dagg.
- NZPA
