KEY POINTS:
Auckland coach Pat Lam insists his side won't be under-done for the national provincial competition despite playing just one pre-season match before the start next week.
Lam spurned the traditional wisdom that has seen most of Auckland's opponents rack up three or four matches by now, instead taking his troops to Thailand for a warm weather training camp that also doubled as a team-bonding exercise.
With just two new faces in Auckland's 27-man Air New Zealand Cup squad - lock Stan Haukanima and New Zealand under-21 prop Charlie Faumuina - Lam isn't worried about potential rustiness and unfamiliarity ahead of next week's season opener against Counties-Manukau.
He said tomorrow night's lone pre-season hit-out against Wellington, a side who beat Auckland twice last season, would provide sufficient match practice. "It is just about building on what we've done in the past. Our preparation has been ideal."
All Black lock Ali Williams is likely to feature in the first two games of the season as he looks to get some match fitness after recovering from a broken jaw. "He hasn't had any rugby and he needs to play [before the World Cup]," Lam said.
Former All Black second five-eighths Sam Tuitupou, in his final season before departing for Worcester in the English Premiership, will again captain the side.
Tuitupou will be backed by a vastly experienced leadership group that includes Nick White, Brad Mika, Angus Macdonald, Daniel Braid and Steve Devine.
"It's the last season for me and a couple of the boys so, hopefully, we can take this thing out and go out on a winning way," Tuitupou said.
"We've got plenty of guys here who've played international rugby and some young guys who've played a bit of Super 14. It is quite exciting to see so much talent in Auckland."
Lam has blended youth and experience in the line-up to face Wellington.
With Tuitupou to start from the bench, openside flanker Braid will captain the side. Braid will team up with Macdonald and Jerome Kaino to form an experienced loose forward trio.
Jay Williams, the brother of Ali, partners Kurtis Haiu in the second row, while John Afoa and Saimone Taumoepeau are the preferred props.
In the backs, Brent Ward, Ben Atiga and David Smith should provide plenty of punch.
NPC Squad
Backs: Brent Ward, Isa Nacewa, Chris Mahoney, Ben Atiga, David Smith, Benson Stanley, Jamie Helleur, Sam Tuitupou (c), Tasesa Lavea, Lachie Munro, Taniela Moa, Steve Devine.
Forwards: Onosa'i Tololima-Auva'a, Daniel Braid, Angus Macdonald, Jerome Kaino, Brad Mika, Kurtis Haiu, Jay Williams, Stan Haukanima, Lance Po-Ching, Derren Witcombe, Saimone Taumoepeau, Charlie Faumuina, Chris Heard, Nick White, John Afoa.
