The Auckland Storm return to Eden Park for the Round 4 clash with Manawatu on a historic day for Rugby in Auckland.

The FPC fixture will be part of a triple-header at the home of rugby, with Auckland taking on North Harbour and the Gallaher Shield Final between Ponsonby and Manukau Rovers.

The Auckland Storm coaching squad have made a handful of changes to their side that narrowly lost the Bay of Plenty last weekend.

Eloise Blackwell returns to the starting 15 after an isolation stint and regains the captaincy. Blackwell will link up with College Rifles lock Maiakawanakaulani Roos for the third time this season.

College Rifles front rower Ana Taumalolo comes on to the Storm bench for the first time this season. Taumalolo joins the squad for the first time since 2014 and has recently had a stint with the Tongan Rugby League team.

Mele Hufanga replaces Marist club member Patricia Maliepo at second five-eighth to link up with Daynah Nankivell at centre.

A relatively unchanged back three for the Auckland Storm will take the field with a straight swap on the wings; Jade Bowen moves to the right and Katelyn Vaha’akolo to the left. Both players have showcased their talents this season and will look for more opportunities at Eden Park.

Auckland Rugby fans need to look back as far as 2019 for a previous encounter between both sides. The Auckland Storm claimed a decisive win against the Cyclones, 50-26, in New Plymouth.

The Auckland Storm v Manawatu will kick off the triple-header at Eden Park with the Gallaher Shield Final and Battle of The Bridge between Auckland and North Harbour to follow. Kick-off is at 2:05pm

Auckland Storm team v Manawatu

1. Chryss Viliko
2. Saphire Abraham
3. Sophie Fisher
4. Eloise Blackwell ©
5. Maiakawanakaulani Roos
6. Shannon Leota
7. Tafito Lafaele
8. Charmaine McMenamin
9. Mel Puckett
10. Ruahei Demant
11. Katelyn Vaha’akolo
12. Mele Hufanga
13. Daynah Nankivell
14. Jade Bowen
15. Kiritapu Demant

16. Alakoka Po’oi
17. Cheyenne Tuli-Fale
18. Ana Taumalolo
19. Maama Vaipulu
20. Sulieti Halafihi
21. Shonte To’a
22. Angelica Mekemeke Vahai
23. Sam Curtis