Rugby: Old rivals meet again with top prize at stake

The Auckland Rugby team walks off the pitch after their warm up. Photo / Nick Reed

Two old rivals lock horns tonight for the 97th time since 1883.

There can be little doubt the two best sides are in the Premiership decider, just the second time they have met at the last dance since the provincial championship instigated finals in 1992.

Auckland were always going to make at least one change from the side that gave Tasman a 44-24 towelling in the semifinal. They were hoping that would be the return of loosehead prop Sam Prattley from a neck injury to bolster a wobbly scrum. Instead he aggravated it at training, so Isi Tu'ungafasi will have to contain Cantabrian Nepo Laulala.

Charlie Piutau shifts back to fullback - where he appeared in the 2012 final in Christchurch - for the unlucky Melani Nanai, while Vince Aso slots into the No 13 jersey.

"It was a tough decision, but your best players have to play in their best positions. Charlie is most confident at fullback, so I've gone back to that," said Auckland coach Paul Feeney, who again had the tough task of trying to fit six players in his back three.

He will hope his halfback Kato Shigeno shows as much snap and dash as he showed against Tasman.

Feeney spoke of the 1985 "match of the century" which saw Auckland lift the Ranfurlu Shield before a crowd of 52,000 at Lancaster Park. Not one of this Auckland team was born then, but they are aware of the history and rivalry.

"We certainly ram it into them as coaches. They know the importance of this game. Canterbury have the experience on us (with six All Blacks to two), but our youthful enthusiasm has served us well all year."

There are intriguing match-ups all over the park. Mitch Karpik might have his hands full with Matt Todd at the breakdown, but the 20-year-old No 7 has done well against the likes of Shane Christie in recent weeks.

Canterbury lock Dominic Bird will fancy himself against Scott Scrafton and Michael Fatialofa, both of whom are performing well.

The first fives battle sees the 2014 Under-20 pivots, Simon Hickey and Richie Mo'unga, square off. Second five George Moala, with 10 tries and 52 defenders beaten, faces Rob Thompson, who has identical numbers. Wing Johnny McNicholl, who was the difference with two solo tries when Canterbury won their regular season fixture, marks Ben Lam. On the other wing, Patrick Osborne returns from injury to face Bryce Heem.