White stoked to be first man out of tunnel

He tried to be low key, but there was no hiding Nick White is chuffed to step up as Auckland's captain for the opening round of the new domestic championship.

The veteran prop has been an everywhere man in New Zealand rugby, popping up all over the land, including stints at the Highlanders, Blues and Crusaders Super rugby franchises in a lengthy career.

And even if this is a one-off appointment, with injured All Black Sam Tuitupou expected back for the second round, 32-year-old White is relishing being first man out of the tunnel when Auckland play Manawatu in Palmerston North in the Air New Zealand Cup tomorrow.

"I'm pretty stoked to have a crack at leading the boys out," he said. "We've got a number of guys in there who can captain, and hopefully next week we'll have Sammy back."

The Auckland team includes two new wingers, University's Chris Mahony and David Smith from Ponsonby, the versatile Isa Nacewa slots in at second five-eighths and there's the loose forward trio of former All Blacks in Brad Mika, Daniel Braid and Jerome Kaino.

Taniela Moa has been preferred to Steve Devine at halfback and new lock Joe Tekori is a big, solid lump in the heart of the pack.

Manawatu have included their three South Africans, halfback Joggie Viljoen, No 8 Bertus Mulder and wing Leon Lubbe, and Argentine fullback Francisco Bosch.

"Most people say it's a daunting task, but certainly the boys are pretty keen for the challenge. And it's an opportunity to try and measure up," Manawatu coach Dave Rennie said.