Rugby: Revamped Auckland not intended to offend

By WYNNE GRAY

Auckland deny they are insulting Otago and the rest of the competition by sending out a revamped side for the final round of the NPC at Eden Park on Saturday.

Regular captain Paul Thomson, lock Leo Lafaiali'i, and midfielders Craig Innes and Iliesa Tanivula are all being rested for a game which Otago have to win to have any chance of making the playoffs.

Auckland say they are being sensible, having made a home semifinal secure last week by beating Waikato.

"We will benefit from being able to rest some of our guys who have had a heavy workload, we want to freshen them before the semis while a couple have had a few niggling injuries," coach Wayne Pivac said.

"It is not a matter of taking any risks. We believe we have a competent squad of 22 and we want all of those to get as much competition as possible. Otago are one of the best teams in the series and we would rather they were not in the top four.

"We have a proud record of not having lost to Otago on Eden Park for some time (24 years) and we are not going to just throw a scratch team up against them."

It was also important Craig Dowd be given the chance to show the All Black selectors how well he played at his preferred loosehead prop position after being an unselfish team player and doing the tighthead job for Auckland for so long. It also gave Nick White a chance to push for a Blues place at tighthead.

"We also have a lot of faith in Amasio Valence as an attacking five-eighths and Eroni Clarke is back in alongside him to add the experience," said Pivac.

The changes showed the value of qualifying already. It was neither a slight on Otago, nor meant to help or hinder any other sides. "We are not considering other teams. Qualifying is their problem," said Pivac. "But in no way are we going out there with a weakened side."

Lock Filipo Levi and prop Carl Hayman have been brought into the Otago team, replacing John Blaikie (shoulder) and Kees Meeuws (calf) respectively. They were injured in last weekend's Ranfurly Shield challenge against Canterbury.

Levi will make his run-on Otago debut after appearing three times as a substitute. Hayman will get his fourth start of the NPC as he packs down with All Blacks Carl Hoeft and Anton Oliver in the front row.

NPC semifinals in the first division will begin next Friday when Auckland host the third-placed side. They chose not to play the next night because there is a Ricky Martin concert in Auckland, so Canterbury will host the fourth qualifier on Saturday.

The division one final is tentatively set down for Saturday, October 21.

Auckland: Adrian Cashmore, Mills Muliaina, Eroni Clarke, Amasio Valence, Doug Howlett, Carlos Spencer, Steve Devine, Xavier Rush, Andrew Blowers, Dylan Mika, Robin Brooke, Charles Reichelmann (capt), Nick White, Keven Mealamu, Craig Dowd. Res: James Christian, Paul Thomson, Leo Lafaiali'i, Finau Maka, Ben Meyer, Iliesa Tanivula, Orene Ai'i.

Otago: Justin Swart, Brendan Laney, Seilala Mapusua, Pita Alatini, Hayden Reid, Tony Brown, Byron Kelleher, Kelvin Middleton (capt), Josh Kronfeld, Taine Randell, Filipo Levi, Simon Maling, Carl Hayman, Anton Oliver, Carl Hoeft. Res: Romi Ropati, Charles Hore, Donovan Hore, Josh Blackie, Andrew McClintock, Joe McDonnell, Tom Willis.