Rugby: Rokocoko named on bench

Joe Rokocoko. Photo / Greg Bowker

All Black wing Joe Rokocoko has been named on the Auckland bench for Friday's the national provincial championship rugby match against Hawke's Bay at Auckland.

Auckland head coach Mark Anscombe believed it would be wiser to introduce Rokocoko off the bench with the 27-year-old only resuming training this week after a two-week break following the international season.

"He's had a busy year of rugby and has come into a new environment with different calls and names so we thought it would be easier for Joe to come off the bench and inject himself into the game in the second half," Anscombe said.

Anscombe has made just one change to the starting 15 for Friday's match, with Winston Stanley coming in for Jamie Helleur to partner brother Benson in the midfield.

Chay Raui, who performed with distinction against Southland, moves from wing to his regular position of fullback, with Brent Ward covering the left flank.

There are different motivating factors driving on Auckland and Hawke's Bay on Friday but both sides will be desperate to win in what shapes as a defining match for their seasons.

For Auckland, a victory over Hawke's Bay gives them the perfect opportunity to cement their position in the top four in the final month of the competition.

Hawke's Bay have made the semifinals for the last three years but have only managed two wins from nine matches this season and are a teetering on the brink of relegation in 11th spot.

Anscombe knows the fear of being axed from the competition will provide them with plenty of motivation to upset the Aucks.

"As the competition to date suggests, you can't underestimate anyone or they will tip you up. Hawke's Bay had a good win (over Taranaki) on the weekend and that will lift their confidence," he said.

"As a union that's been in the semifinals for the last three years, while it may be out of their reach to make that goal this year, they'll certainly want to win their remaining games to make sure they're in the top seven."

The Auckland starting XV is:

Chay Raui, Dave Thomas, Winston Stanley, Benson Stanley, Brent Ward, Matt Berquist, Toby Morland, Peter Saili, Daniel Braid (captain), Onosa'i Auva'a, Andrew Van der Heijden, Kurtis Haiu, Charlie Faumuina, Tom McCartney, John Afoa.

Reserves: Ash Dixon, Angus Ta'avao, Liaki Moli, Sean Polwart, Brenton Helleur, Gareth Anscombe, Joe Rokocoko.

- NZPA