All Blacks lock Ali Williams must face a fitness test today before being named in the Auckland team to play Canterbury in the ITM Cup final in Christchurch on Saturday night.
Williams has been suffering from lower back pain and has been bracketed in the No 5 jersey with Andrew Van der Heijden.
All Blacks prop Charlie Faumuina has been named in the reserves by coach Wayne Pivac after being given time off this week following Saturday's Bledisloe Cup test. Faumuina has not trained with the team and will be used off the bench, Pivac said.
Auckland team to face Canterbury in the ITM Cup final at AMI Stadium in Christchurch on Saturday, kick-off 7.35pm, is: Charles Piutau, Ben Lam, Malakai Fekitoa, Hadleigh Parkes, Dave Thomas, Gareth Anscombe, Alby Mathewson, Joe Edwards, Daniel Braid (c), Steven Luatua, Andrew Van der Heijden/Ali Williams, Liaki Moli, Angus Ta'avao, Pauliasi Manu. Reserves: Nathan Vella, Charlie Faumuina, Nathan Hughes, Sean Polwart, Wayne Ngaluafe, Simon Hickey, Lolagi Visinia.
