KEY POINTS:
Auckland's glaring inexperience will be even more pronounced for the remainder of the season after flanker Kurtis Haiu was yesterday ruled out after being hospitalised following a domestic accident.
Coach Shane Howarth was light on specifics, saying only that Haiu had sustained ligament damage to his hand after putting it through a window.
"Kurty has had a freak accident at home over the weekend," Howarth said. "He put his hand through a window, so he's had surgery. He is probably not going to be with us for [the rest of] the season."
Haiu's 49 games made the powerful flanker or lock Auckland's fourth-most experienced player.
Howarth did his best to be philosophical about his loss but he knows it is a blow Auckland can scarcely afford ahead of tomorrow night's trip to Rotorua to face a rejuvenated Bay of Plenty.
"It is just one of those things that happens during a season, although it is probably not the right time for it to happen to us," Howarth said.
Haiu has been replaced by Grammar Carlton's Dean Budd, who will make his starting debut for the province after making six appearances off the bench this season.
The 22-year-old Budd, who has been used mainly at lock by Auckland, was one of the last names added to the squad after impressing during a pre-season trial game. The former Palmerston North Boys High student is the son of Mike Budd, the former North Auckland representative who is on the Auckland board.
Budd is one of a clutch of young players trying to fill the boots of the host of seasoned veterans who have quit the province in recent seasons. He has shown impressive athleticism off the bench but he admitted it was a steep learning curve stepping up from the academy and B-team ranks.
"It is a tough ask and we [the young players] are just doing our best to do what we can out there," he said.
The next cab off the rank is Marist flanker Anthony Elisala, who should make his debut off the bench.
With a Ranfurly Shield defence against a rampant Wellington side on the horizon, a victory over Bay of Plenty appears crucial to Auckland's playoff prospects. Lose tomorrow and the defending champions face missing out on the top eight.
Despite not having won away from home or at night this season, Auckland will start slight favourites with the bookies.
But that will likely serve only as a further spur to a 5-1 Bay of Plenty side Howarth believes has been galvanised by the off-field woes facing the financially-beleaguered union.
"They are a massive threat but everyone we are playing this year is a massive threat," Howarth said. "To go down to the Bay is pretty daunting at any time without them being in this sort of form."
Charlie Faumuina replaces Nick White at prop in the only other change to the pack.
