KEY POINTS:
Kristian Ormsby will captain Counties Manukau for the first time in their Air New Zealand Cup opening match against Auckland at Eden Park on Saturday.
The New Zealand Maori forward leads a largely unchanged lineup from last season, with coach Kevin Putt able to include 13 of his 2006 regulars.
The newcomers are former Chiefs lock Dave Duley, who has returned from playing in the United Kingdom, and Samoan international and former Hurricanes fullback Tanner Vili.
Duley will partner the much improved Andrew Van der Heijden, allowing Ormsby to revert to blindside flanker.
Taiasina Tuifua has been preferred at No 8 ahead of former UK and Japan-based Sione Kepu.
In the backs, Chiefs centre Niva Ta'auso is injured, meaning Pukekohe midfielder Nigel Watson comes in to second five-eighth with New Zealand under-21 back Male Sa'u at centre.
On the reserve bench, young Australian fullback Nigel Staniforth, younger brother of Wallaby Scott, has been bracketed with Fijian sevens player Simione Saravanua.
Team: Tanner Vili, Lelia Masaga, Male Sa'u, Nigel Watson, Siale Piutau, Troy Nathan, Kane Hancy, Taiasina Tuifua, James Maher, Kristian Ormsby (captain), Andrew Van der Heijden, Dave Duley, Simon Lemalu, Grant Henson, Sekope Kepu. Reserves: Ilaisa Maasi, Poaloi Taula, Fritz Lee, Sione Kepu, Chad Tuoro, Tekori Luteru, Simione Saravanua/Nigel Staniforth
- NZPA
