Rugby: Haiu benched as Auckland search for punch

Mark Anscombe. Photo / APN

Auckland's most experienced tight forward, Kurtis Haiu, has been ditched as the coaches look for some response from their lacklustre group tomorrow.

The hosts will need all the clout and cohesion they can muster up front if they are to repel Taranaki at Eden Park in their sixth round ITM Cup clash.

Auckland got little thrust from their forwards last round against a concerted Canterbury and know they will face a similar inquest from Taranaki, who are on a four-game unbeaten streak.

All Blacks John Afoa and Benson Stanley are off limits.

But there were further dramas when form flanker Onosai Auva'a damaged his knee at training, with scans suggesting he could be on the sideline for some time.

Peter Saili has been shifted into the blindside role and Chris Lowrey chosen on the back of the scrum.

But the surprise was the relegation of Haiu to the bench, with national under-20's lock Liaki Moli promoted to start.

"He was very good for that team," coach Mark Anscombe said. "He is 114 kg, a big man who has been bringing some pressure for selection and he deserves his chance.

"We were disappointed with last week, we did not do what we needed. Our decisions were ordinary and our error rate too high. These guys need to be accountable and others need to sharpen up."

Taranaki's pack would fancy their chances looking at the way Auckland played last round.

They have played steadily and their self-belief has been on the rise since their first-round defeat. Coach Colin Cooper has made two changes, bringing Carl Carmichael and Jarrad Hoeata into the pack for a game he feels could define Taranaki's season. They were rested after battling through a torrid three-game stretch against Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Otago in 12 days.

At the start of the season, Cooper felt Taranaki were playing well below 50 per cent capability but they had shown a lot of improvement and needed to push on tomorrow.

"Our emphasis," said Anscombe, "has been about addressing the way we start and for the players to be more accountable for their roles. The big thing that has been hurting us is losing possession and making errors."

He has lost wing Dave Thomas to concussion, brought in Bryce Heem on the other flank and returned Ben Atiga at centre for Stanley.

The 128kg national under-20 prop Angus Tava'ao and former Canadian loose forward Adam Kleeburger are waiting their chance in the reserves.

AUCKLAND v TARANAKI
Eden Park, 2.35pm tomorrow

AUCKLAND
Brent Ward
Atieli Pakalani
Ben Atiga
Jamie Helleur
Bryce Heem
Matt Berquist
Toby Morland
Chris Lowrey
Daniel Braid (c)
Peter Saili
A Van der Heijden
Liaki Moli
Charlie Faumuina
Tom McCartney
Tevita Mailau
Reserves: Ash Dixon, Angus Ta'avao, Kurtis Haiu, Adam Kleeberger, Brenton Helleur, Gareth Anscombe Winston Stanley

TARANAKI
Kurt Baker
Andre Taylor
George Pisi
Jayden Hayward
David Smith
Willie Ripia
Tyson Keats
Ben Souness
Chris Walker
Jarrad Hoeata
Craig Clarke (c)
James Broadhurst
Michael Bent
Timo Tutavaha
Carl Carmichael
Reserves: Mahonri Schwalger, Shane Cleaver, Kane Barrett, Samuela Vunisa, Brett Goodin, Beauden Barrett, Isaia Tuifua