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All Black World Cup discard Troy Flavell has been given two weeks off to clear his head.
Flavell won't be required for Auckland duty until round three of the Air NZ Cup. Doubtless he'll spend the break coming to terms with the fact his rugby itinerary now includes Invercargill and Whangarei instead of Paris and Marseille.
"Everyone knows he was disappointed as well as all the others who missed out," said Auckland coach Pat Lam. "Troy is ready to have a break and then get into it. He is excited, he hasn't played for Auckland before and we are looking forward to when he comes back."
Auckland will have one France-bound All Black in their ranks for their competition opener against Counties-Manukau at Eden Park tomorrow with Doug Howlett to start on the wing. He is expected to play in the first three rounds.
All Black lock Ali Williams will play club rugby tomorrow as part of a measured return from the broken jaw he suffered against France in Wellington.
"He hasn't played for six weeks so we felt it was better for him to go and play a bit of club rugby," Lam said.
"He'll join us on Saturday and then be ready to go next week. It's quite a big injury he's coming back from and obviously there are bigger things for him later on."
Lam has named a predictable line-up with lock Jay Williams, the younger brother of Ali, the only change to last year's preferred pack.
Brent Ward is at fullback, with last season's standout David Smith the other member of a potent back three.
Isa Nacewa will start at first five-eighths, with his main competitor for the spot, Tasesa Lavea, bracketed with Benson Stanley on the bench.
"Tasesa has had niggling injuries since Super 14. He has been working quite hard so hopefully we'll see how he pulls through the rest of the week and we'll give him some time."
Uncapped prop Charlie Faumuina has been named on the bench.
Counties-Manukau have named a team containing 13 of last year's squad and Lam believes continuity of selection will make them dangerous.
"At this level it's all about combinations and teamwork and they'll certainly have that. They go all-out against us. It's a big game for them, as it is for us. It's important that we have our structure and teamwork in place otherwise we'll get blown away by them."
The bookies don't see such an outcome as likely, installing Auckland as $1.04 favourites to win the match and outright favourites to win the series.
"I really don't take any notice of that," Lam said. "It's just about getting the job done and done well. The last time we were favourites we came seventh I think.
"In 04 we had a lot of class players and we didn't do well at all so it's about getting our teamwork right."
Auckland were crowned champions in each of the last two World Cup years but Lam isn't reading anything into that fact.
"That's all history, it's about the now. We are not even talking about the title or anything, it's about fronting for this game and building the campaign."
