KEY POINTS:
Auckland coach Pat Lam has made just one change to the side that dismantled Hawkes Bay last Thursday for tomorrow's trip to Northland.
Veteran prop Nick White, a former Northlander, has been given the start ahead of Chris Heard in a switch Lam said was designed to give White valuable game time heading into the business end of the season.
Heard, who was impressive in combination with John Afoa and Tom McCartney in the 38-11 victory over the Magpies, has been relegated to the bench alongside fellow frontrowers Saimone Taumopeau and Charlie Faumuina.
Lam resisted the temptation to reinstate Troy Flavell despite the Blues captain being 99 per cent fit.
"He's ready to go but I've held him back another week," Lam said.
Flavell would also benefit from the rest should he be called into the All Blacks World Cup squad, he said.
Lam has named the same backline that performed admirably against the Magpies despite an 11th-hour reshuffle following regular centre Ben Atiga's injury-enforced withdrawal.
With Atiga still sidelined by a hamstring strain, Benson Stanley will once again play centre in a line-up that sees Isa Nacewa on the right wing and Lachie Munro at first five-eighths.
"They all coped with it fine, which was pleasing," said Lam of last week's upheaval.
Samoan sevens specialist Mikaele Pesamino has once again been included on the bench after debuting in a brief cameo last week. The speedy Pesamino was the top scorer on this year's IRB Sevens circuit with 43 tries.
Concerns over the future of Steve Devine's career are mounting after the former All Black again failed to pass post-concussion tests following the head knock he suffered in round one against Counties Manukau.
Devine has suffered several head injuries in a career that has included 10 tests, 70 Super rugby matches and 78 appearances for Auckland.
"We are just hoping that [he] is going to come right." Lam said.
"He is still suffering headaches and that so it is a bit of a concern. He has a bit of history of that."
First five-eighths Tasesa Lavea is back on the comeback trail after recovering from a succession of injuries that have prevented him from making a single appearance this campaign.
Lavea has been named to play in Auckland's B team this weekend.
Northland are sweating on the fitness of young fullback Rene Ranger, who has been bracketed with Mike Davis. Ranger has been given until today's captain's run to prove his fitness.
The only other change to the side that lost 22-20 to Taranaki last weekend is in the pack, where Steve Baker replaces Dan Goodwin at lock.
