The Auckland Storm carry on their pursuit for a finals spot against Wellington this Saturday at Eden Park.

Head Coach Willie Walker will be glad to welcome back some of his experienced players while the Auckland Storm Black Ferns remain on international duties.

Marist first-five eighth Patricia Maliepo and College Rifles loose forward Liana Mikaele-Tu’u re-join the gameday 23 for the Eden Park Triple-Header.

Maliepo has been unavailable since Round 3 of the competition and will be welcomed back to the Auckland Storm backline with Daynah Nankivell moving back to centre.

Mikaele-Tu’u makes her first appearance of the season due to injury and will be interested in expressing her skills in the 2022 FPC season.

Eloise Blackwell will captain her side alongside Ponsonby locking partner Maama Vaipulu.

Mele Hufanga starts at second-five outside her Marist club partner (Maliepo), and Katelyn Vaha’akolo moves back to the left wing.

The FPC Wellington fixture opens a day of celebration for rugby in Tāmaki Makaurau. Following the Storms' Round 6 game, St Peter’s College and Kelston Boys’ High School meet in the 1A Final and the Auckland NPC team round off the day against Otago.

The Storms' last encounter against Wellington was in the 2019 Semi-Final, where the Storm were victors in a high-scoring, 43-24 win.

Kick-off is at 12:35pm from Eden Park.

Auckland Storm team v Wellington

1. Chryss Viliko
2. Alakoka Po’oi
3. Sophie Fisher
4. Eloise Blackwell ©
5. Maama Vaipulu
6. Shannon Leota
7. Sulieti Halafihi
8. Liana Mikaele–Tu’u
9. Mel Puckett
10. Patricia Maliepo
11. Katelyn Vaha’akolo
12. Mele Hufanga
13. Daynah Nankivell
14. Sam Curtis
15. Kiritapu Demant

16. Saphire Abraham
17. Cilia Marie Po’e-Tofaeono
18. Cristo Tofa
19. Elizabith Moimoi
20. Chaz Tumu-Makara
21. Moana Cook
22. Milahn Ieremia
23. Jade Bowen