• Auckland are looking to beat Taranaki for the first time since 2015
• Both sides will see the match as significant for very different reasons

Auckland head to New Plymouth this weekend to take-on the underperforming Taranaki Bulls. The match represents an opportunity for both sides, but for very different reasons.

Taranaki are yet to hit their straps in 2018 having lost the Ranfurly Shield to Waikato and then being touched-up by Tasman in successive weeks; a victory against Auckland however, will be a significant step-forward and away from the threat of relegation.

After coming off the high of victories over 2017 semi-finalist Tasman and champions Canterbury, the blue and white hoops are aware that all this good work could be somewhat undone if they are unable to get the job done come Saturday night.

The challenge presented by the amber and blacks is one Head Coach Alama Ieremia is keen to quell.

“We’ve had a high in terms of playing the semi-finalists from last year, and the finalists and champions, for us it’s now pivotal to see how we can keep rising to the challenge. Injuries this week have made it that much more interesting, so we’re really going to have to be resilient in certain areas.”

There are a number of players bracketed this week as the season starts to take its toll. Captain Blake Gibson is out again this week after withdrawing late against Canterbury, but Ieremia is confident with how those being called-in are stepping up to the plate.

“It’s really a credit to all the other coaches and how they’ve worked together to bring a wider squad of 60 players (together) since the start of the year. Our alignment on how we want to play the game and then also off-field, around values and expectations.”

Auckland haven’t beaten Taranaki since 2015, and after overcoming Canterbury in Christchurch last weekend, the team will be looking to continue the current hot streak and come back to Eden Park to face Otago the following week with their perfect record still intact.

Auckland team to play Taranaki:

1. Ezekiel Lindenmuth (Suburbs)
2. Robbie Abel (College Rifles)/Mike Sosene-Feagai (Mt Wellington)
3. Marcel Renata (University)
4. Fa’atiga Lemalu (Papatoetoe)
5. Jack Whetton (Grammar TEC)
6. Evan Olmstead (Suburbs)
7. Dalton Papali’i (Pakuranga)/Adrian Choat (Waitemata)
8. Akira Ioane (Ponsonby)/Hoskins Sotutu (Marist)
9. Jonathan Ruru (University)
10. Harry Plummer (Grammar TEC)
11. Salesi Rayasi (Marist)
12. TJ Faiane – Captain (Pakuranga)/Tanielu Tele’a (Marist)
13. Tumua Manu (College Rifles)
14. Melani Nanai (Manukau Rovers)
15. Jordan Trainor (Ponsonby)
16. Mike Sosene-Feagai (Mt Wellington)/Leif Schwencke (Suburbs)
17. Jarred Adams (Suburbs)
18. Marco Fepulea’i (Ponsonby)
19. Lyndon Dunshea (University)
20. Hoskins Sotutu (Marist)/Jamie Lane (Ponsonby)
21. Leon Fukofuka (Marist)
22. Jacob Umaga (Eden)
23. Tanielu Tele’a (Marist)/Joe Ravouvou (College Rifles)

Unavailable due to injury: Blake Gibson (quad), Sam Prattley (head), Dan Kirkpatrick (neck), Michael Fatialofa (knee), Taleni Seu (back – season), Taniela Koroi (arm – season)