Rugby: Midfield rookie called up for Auckland

By WYNNE GRAY

Auckland have called up 20-year-old midfield back Tane Tuipulotu to make his NPC debut. He is among a variety of changes for Friday's game against Waikato.

After assessing injuries and performance in the 16-5 loss to North Harbour, coach Wayne Pivac has made six alterations for the Eden Park match.

He has reclaimed Doug Howlett after national duty and Steve Devine after an ankle injury, but lost loosehead prop Nick White (ribs) and hooker James Christian (broken wrist) to injury.

In midfield he has picked Tuipulotu instead of Amasio Valence and gone for the height of rookie Ali Williams at lock instead of Charlie Riechelmann.

"Tane is a New Zealand Colt but was out at the start of the competition with a hamstring injury," said Pivac."He played for the Bs last week and will bring a size and solidity to go with his skill in midfield.

"He has got a lot of talent and will benefit from having the experience of Carlos [Spencer] and Eroni [Clarke] on either side of him."

Tuipulotu made the NZ Colts side this year and was tagged for provincial work once the coaching staff decided to let Craig Innes go. When Jeremy Stanley was seriously injured, the midfield opportunity for Tuipulotu became even greater.

The other relatively new player being asked to step up is Williams, a tall lock from the Ponsonby club who has had several short stints off the bench this season.

"He is like a Norm Maxwell. He has got a lot of energy and that is what we have been lacking," Pivac said.

Auckland and Waikato trained yesterday, but Waikato have left their team announcement until today as they check their injury list.

Captain Deon Muir is rated a good chance to return and Mark Ranby was encouraged by his run yesterday, although he wants to see how he recovers in his bid to replace injured second five-eighths Scott McLeod.

Loose-forward Jonno Gibbes is also recovering from the unusual throat injury he suffered against Wellington and could be a starter.

"We have a few decisions to make and all we want is to end the topsy-tuvy sort of season we have been having," coach Kiwi Searancke said.

"We really want to put a performance together, we want to nail something."

Auckland's viewpoint was much the same.

"We have dropped one game, they have dropped two, and neither of us would want any more," Pivac said.

Meanwhile, Canterbury's plethora of locks has given coaches Steve Hansen and Aussie McLean the luxury of spelling All Black Norm Maxwell for the next four weeks.

The beanpole frame of Maxwell, who has never been afraid to put his body on the line, took a heavy hammering in the Tri-Nations matches, and he will undergo a programme of body strengthening.

There were suggestions yesterday that Maxwell had been told to bulk up if he wanted to continue playing test rugby.

There was also the scenario that Canterbury wanted to keep Brad Thorn happy by retaining him in the NPC team, so he would remain with the province instead of returning to rugby league in Australia.

Thorn has been playing lock, but there has been speculation that he wanted to return to league next season.

Auckland: Mils Muliaina, Doug Howlett, Eroni Clarke, Tane Tuipulotu, Iliesa Tanivula, Carlo Spencer, Steve Devine, Samiu Vahafolau, Justin Collins, Xavier Rush (capt), Robin Brooke, Ali Williams, Christian Califano, Keven Mealamu, Paul Thomson. Reserves: Kevin Senio, Orene Ai'i, Gavin Williams, Jonathan Meredith, Kisi Pulu, Charles Riechelmann, Daniel Braid.