• Two more debutants in game day squad.
• Auckland last played at Trafalgar Park in the 2019 Premiership Semi-Final.
• Solomone Kata to get his first start for Auckland.

Auckland head into Round 2 with a win against Canterbury and another Crusaders’ region heavyweight in their sights. The Blue and White Hoops travel to the sunshine city to face 2020 NPC champions, Tasman this Saturday.

The men from Auckland began their 2021 Bunnings Warehouse NPC season with a strong first 40 minutes against Canterbury. The first half performance ended up being enough to keep a second half push from their opponents at bay.

Auckland managed to put the game to bed with a late Harry Plummer try and take the game 35-24.

Head Coach Alama Ieremia has named a relatively unchanged side from his opening round roster to travel to Nelson this weekend.

Another two players will be in line to make their debut for Auckland. Grammar TEC clubmen Jock McKenzie and Heremaia Murray have been named on the bench for the Round 2 fixture.

Ieremia has again, gone to his experience in the tight-5 with Alex Hodgman, Leni Apisai and Marcel Renata leading up front and Scott Scrafton and Jamie Lane in the locks.

A slight change at the back with College Rifles Fullback, Zarn Sullivan ruled out with a head knock. Salesi Rayasi will move to 15 and Sacred Heart old boy, Solomone Kata will move to the wing for his first start for Auckland.

The 9/10 combination of Jonathan Ruru and Harry Plummer will start again after leading their team with the boot against Canterbury.

Auckland must only look to their previous season’s result if they need any ounce of inspiration for this Saturday. The Blue and White Hoops went down to Tasman in the 2020 Premiership Final 13-12 at Eden Park.

Auckland will head to Trafalgar Park for the first time since 2019 with kick off at 2:05pm on Saturday.

Auckland team v Tasman

1. Alex Hodgman

2. Leni Apisai

3. Marcel Renata

4. Scott Srafton (VC)

5. Jamie Lane

6. Adrian Choat

7. Blake Gibson

8. Vaiolini Ekuasi

9. Jonathan Ruru

10. Harry Plummer (C)

11. AJ Lam

12. Corey Evans

13. Bryce Heem

14. Solomone Kata

15. Salesi Rayasi

16. Soane Vikena

17. Jordan Lay

18. Sione Ahio

19. Hamish Dalzell

20. Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa

21. Taufa Funaki

22. Jock McKenzie (DEBUT)

23. Heremaia Murray (DEBUT)