• Blake Gibson and TJ Faiane will lead the Auckland side in 2019 as co-captains
• There is the possibility of six debutants in blue and white – Alex Hodgman, Leni Apisai, Danny Tusitala, D’Angelo Leuila, AJ Lam and Kurt Heatherley
• North Harbour have former Tasman, Chiefs and Connacht Coach, Kieran Keane, at the helm for the first time

The respective Mitre 10 Cup campaigns for Auckland and North Harbour get underway this Friday night at Eden Park. The traditional ‘Battle of the Bridge’ sees two proud provinces come together once again for a clash that always contains plenty of feeling.

For Auckland, Blake Gibson and TJ Faiane will jointly lead the side throughout the season. Both players were in exemplary form in blue and white throughout 2018, and will look to continue this rich vein from the opening whistle come Friday night.

While there are a number of returning players from that championship side – Robbie Abel, Jack Whetton, Harry Plummer and Salesi Rayasi – to name but a few, there are also several new faces looking to make their mark in the famous blue and white hoops.

Alex Hodgman, formerly of Canterbury, returns home. The talented front-rower completed his schooling at Mt Albert Grammar before heading South straight after. Hodgman is now back in the ‘City of Sails’ and will look to hit the ground running.

AJ Lam also makes his debut in the run-on side off an impressive season for Grammar TEC in Auckland club rugby. Using his own unique style, Lam will look to excite on the flank with his impressive power, speed and guile.

The remaining four debuts will all come from the bench. Leni Apisai will look to add impact at Hooker if called upon, while Danny Tusitala, D’Angelo Leuila and Kurt Heatherley will add plenty of firepower to the backline later in the piece.

There is certainly a feeling of excitement heading into the opening game, with the rubber finally hitting the road, and Head Coach Alama Ieremia is aware of the increased challenges facing his charges.

“We have to hit the ground running with this particular group. Obviously, it’s a traditional between Harbour and us, so there is an element of emotion attached to it. The boys have prepared really well though, and now it’s about how quickly we can get into rhythm to start off the campaign.”

From a personnel and selection point of view, Ieremia and the management have anointed Blake Gibson and TJ Faiane to co-captain and lead the side in 2019.

“Both players bring leadership in different ways and I think that’s important to make sure there’s not pressure on one captain all the time; they get to share the responsibilities and it provides an element of flexibility for us, while also allowing TJ and Blake the opportunity to continue growing as leaders.”

Match Day Programme

Auckland line-up to face North Harbour:

1. Alex Hodgman (Suburbs, debut)
2. Robbie Abel (College Rifles, 10 caps)
3. Marcel Renata (University, 32)
4. Jack Whetton (Grammar TEC, 27)
5. Jamie Lane (Ponsonby, 5)
6. Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa (Ponsonby, 3)
7. Blake Gibson – Co-C (Ponsonby, 25)
8. Hoskins Sotutu (Marist, 10)
9. Jonathan Ruru (University, 12)
10. Harry Plummer (Grammar TEC, 15)
11. Caleb Clarke (Suburbs, 10)
12. TJ Faiane – Co-C (Pakuranga, 28)
13. Tanielu Tele’a (Marist, 4)
14. AJ Lam (Grammar TEC, debut)
15. Salesi Rayasi (Marist, 11)
16. Leni Apisai (Loaned, debut)
17. Ezekiel Lindenmuth (Suburbs, 5)
18. Marco Fepulea’i (Ponsonby, 11)
19. Lyndon Dunshea (University, 2)
20. Adrian Choat (Waitemata, 3)
21. Danny Tusitala (Ponsonby, debut)
22. D’Angelo Leuila (Papatoetoe, debut)
23. Kurt Heatherley (Loaned, debut)

Unavailable due to injury: Scott Scrafton (jaw), Tumua Manu (ankle), Michael Lea, Jordan Trainor (thigh)