Rugby: Four changes for Auckland

Kurtis Haiu returns for Auckland on Friday night. Photo / Richard Robinson

Auckland coach Mark Anscombe has made four changes to the starting 15 for their national provincial championship rugby match against Manawatu at Palmerston North on Friday.

Tevita Mailau is to start at prop ahead of Tom McCartney, who moves to the bench, while lock Kurtis Haiu has been reinstated in place of Andrew Van der Heijden, who is in doubt for the game due to his appearance at a judicial hearing in Wellington today.

Van der Heijden, who has been named on the reserves bench, has been cited for allegedly stomping on Wellington's Neemia Tialata during Auckland's 21-15 win last weekend.

In other changes, flanker Peter Saili replaces Adam Kleeberger and Dave Thomas resumes his starting position on the wing in place of Atieli Pakalani.

Utility back Benson Stanley has returned from All Blacks duties and will provide impact off the bench, while New Zealand under-20 flanker Sean Polwart is in line to earn his first cap for Auckland after also being named among the reserves.

Auckland: Brent Ward, Dave Thomas, Winston Stanley, Jamie Helleur, Bryce Heem, Matt Berquist, Toby Morland, Chris Lowrey, Daniel Braid (captain), Peter Saili, Kurtis Haiu, Liaki Moli, Charlie Faumuina, Ash Dixon, Tevita Mailau.

Reserves: Tom McCartney, Angus Ta'avao, Andrew Van der Heijden, Sean Polwart, Brenton Helleur, Benson Stanley, Gareth Anscombe.

Manawatu: Craig Clare, Shannon Paku, Hadleigh Parkes, Francis Bryant (captain), Casey Stone, Isaac Thompson, Aaron Smith, Hamish Gosling, Callum Gibbins, Doug Tietjens, Fraser Stone, Michael Fitzgerald, Ma'afu Fia, Rob Foreman, Donal McNamara.

Reserves: Sean O'Connor, Karl Haitana, Reece Robinson, James Oliver, Karl Bryson, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Lote Raikabula.