The Auckland Storm will head to Rugby Park, looking to continue their successful FPC campaign against Canterbury.

The two provincial unions are no strangers to top-level performances throughout their rich history. The Storm will need no extra reasons for wanting a victory in Christchurch; Canterbury handed Auckland their only loss of the 2021 season at Eden Park, 32-7.

Head Coach Willie Walker has named a reasonably unchanged side from the opening round.

Black Fern Maiakawanakaulani Roos joins the gameday team, and Maama Vaipulu moves to the bench.

The College Rifles lock debuted for the Black Ferns in the 2021 Northern Tour and bagged herself nib Blues Forward of The Year in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition. The combination of Roos and Auckland Storm Captain Eloise Blackwell will have their hands full with an experienced Canterbury tight-five.

The starting back line remains unchanged; a debut is on the cards for 16-year-old Milahn Ieremia. The Ponsonby halfback will be the seventh player to debut for the Storm this season.

Coleman Shield Top Try Scorer Mele Hufanga will be looking to emphasise her entrance into the 2022 Farah Palmer Cup season. Hufanga is joining the team after international duties with Tonga.

The Blue and White hoops are coming off a strong performance in Round 1 against Counties Manukau Heat. Walker will be looking for several of his forwards to carry on their dynamic performance from last week.

“We did a great job setting a platform to go forward against Counties. Canterbury are a quality team, so we will need to be on our game plan to succeed on Saturday.”

Kick-off is at 12:05pm from Rugby Park in Christchurch.

Auckland Storm team v Canterbury

1. Chryss Viliko
2. Saphire Abraham
3. Cristo Tofa
4. Eloise Blackwell ©
5. Maiakawanakaulani Roos
6. Shannon Leota
7. Tafito Lafaele
8. Charmaine McMenamin
9. Mel Puckett
10. Ruahei Demant
11. Sam Curtis
12. Patricia Maliepo
13. Daynah Nankivell
14. Katelyn Vaha’akolo
15. Kiritapu Demant

16. Alakoka Po’oi
17. Cilia Marie Po’e-Tofaeono
18. Sophie Fisher
19. Maama Vaipulu
20. Chaz Tumu-Makara
21. Milahn Ieremia (DEBUT)
22. Mele Hufanga
23. Jade Bowen