KEY POINTS:
A fully fit Troy Flavell will start on the blindside flank for Auckland against Tasman tomorrow.
As he is unlikely to be called into the All Blacks World Cup squad anytime soon, Flavell will be out to present the selectors with a timely reminder of his abilities.
"Troy
is just really excited about playing," Auckland coach Pat Lam said. "He knows the key thing for him was to sort out his leg. That is done. The next thing is for him to play well for us.
"I have been holding him back so I am looking forward to letting him go this week. He is pretty excited and I am looking for big things from him."
Taniela Moa is restored to halfback in place of Grayson Hart in the only change to the backline for the Eden Park match.
Lam has, however, shuffled his pack. Onosa'i Tololima-Auva'a will start at openside ahead of Daniel Braid, who joins Jerome Kaino on the bench as Lam rests the legs of two of his key loose forwards.
The coach has also reverted to the tight five that demolished Hawkes Bay a fortnight ago, with Chris Heard back in the front row in place of Nick White.
Two uncapped players - Chris Lowery, a New Zealand under-21 loose forward, and Winston Stanley, an under-19 international - have been named on the bench.
Stanley, a midfield back, is the younger brother of starting centre Benson, a nephew of All Blacks great Joe and a cousin of St George Illawarra league centre Chase.
With regular centre Ben Atiga expected to return next week, Lam has once again opted for Lachie Munro at first five-eighths and Isa Nacewa at wing.
"Injuries have forced our hand there. We don't have many fit backs," Lam said. "But I'm really pleased with the way Lachie is progressing and Isa can fit in anywhere."
Another contender for the first five-eighths role, Tasesa Lavea, will play for the Bs again this weekend after notching 30 minutes last week.
It would be a major surprise if Lam reintroduced Lavea at this stage of the campaign but he didn't discount that possibility.
"You never know what happens with injuries and form. The key is while you are in there make the most of your opportunity. We don't know what is around the corner week-to-week.
"The important thing for Tasesa and for Ben [Atiga] and for all the guys who are injured is to get back to 100 per cent and then put themselves in the frame if the opportunity comes."
Halfback Steve Devine is still suffering headaches and is no closer to a return from the head injury he suffered against Counties Manukau in round one.
"It is not just the training, it is the thinking that puts pressure on the brain so he just has to take it easy," Lam said.
* Waikato have suffered a setback ahead of tonight's clash against Wellington with pivot Stephen Donald ruled out with an ankle injury.
He has been replaced by Willie Ripia.
