Auckland come off the back of three wins in nine days to welcome the Steamers to Eden Park on Sunday.

The Blue and White Hoops managed a win in their last outing against Southland in a game that had everyone at Rugby Park Stadium out of their seats.

Over 25 players have been used over the first two rounds of the Bunnings Warehouse NPC and strong performances have been rewarded with several changes to the gameday 23.

Vaiolini Ekuasi comes on to the side of the scrum for Blake Gibson and Hamish Dalzell starts at lock with Connor Vest.

Jordan Trainor grabs the fullback position after an impressive finish against Southland. Jordan Lay, Hamdahn Tuipulotu and Niko Jones all join the bench following strong performances in the opening rounds.

Auckland Coach Craig McGrath is looking for enthusiasm when his team takes the field on Sunday.

“There has been a focus on the level of energy we want to start this game with this week. If we start strong and nail the basics, we will set a good platform for the rest of the game”.

Another debut will be added to the healthy list of capped players in 2022. East Tamaki’s Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will make his long-awaited debut for the Blue and White Hoops after a year in the making.

Tuivasa-Sheck was set to make his Auckland and professional rugby debut against Bay of Plenty in the 2021 NPC season, before the opportunity was taken due to a nation-wide COVID-19 lockdown.

A full circle of sorts has led Tuivasa-Sheck to making his first appearance in the Blue and White Hoops and in provincial rugby after a Blues and All Blacks debut.

Auckland are current holders of the John Drake Boot courtesy of their 20-16 win against the Steamers in Round 4 of the 2020 NPC season.

The 2021 edition of the John Drake Boot was cancelled due to the lockdown, eventually calling an end to Auckland NPC season.

Auckland play Bay of Plenty at Eden Park on Sunday afternoon with kick-off at 2:05pm.

Auckland team v Bay of Plenty

1. Alex Hodgman (Eden)
2. Leni Apisai (Ponsonby)
3. Marcel Renata (University)
4. Hamish Dalzell (College Rifles)
5. Connor Vest (University)
6. Vaiolini Ekuasi (East Tamaki)
7. Adrian Choat (Waitemata)
8. Jackson Pugh (Marist)
9. Taufa Funaki (Marist)
10. Harry Plummer © (Grammar TEC)
11. Salesi Rayasi (Marist)
12. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (DEBUT) (East Tamaki)
13. AJ Lam (Grammar TEC)
14. Tomas Aoake (Ponsonby)
15. Jordan Trainor (Ponsonby)
16. Soane Vikena (Waitemata)
17. Jordan Lay (University)
18. Hamdahn Tuipulotu (Ponsonby)
19. Jamie Lane (Ponsonby)
20. Niko Jones (Waitemata)
21. Manu Paea (Manukau)
22. Simon Hickey (Grammar TEC)
23. Corey Evans (Grammar TEC)