Auckland welcome Otago to Eden Park with the Lyn Colling Trophy on the line as part of a Triple Header at Eden Park.

The Auckland coaching team have made several changes to the team who played Bay of Plenty at Eden Park on Sunday.

Waitemata hooker Soane Vikena moves into the starting lineup, and debutant Te Ariki Te Puni will look to make an impact later in the match as he runs on to represent his family and Auckland University Rugby Club.

Hamish Dalzell and Jamie Lane pick up starting responsibilities at lock, with Connor Vest providing his skills later in the game.

Blake Gibson returns to the side of the scrum following HIA protocols, and East Tamaki loose forward Vaiolini Ekuasi carries his positive form off the bench.

Ponsonby halfback Sam Wye and Manukau Rovers winger Sofai Maka are in line for their second caps of the season. Both players provided productive minutes against Manawatu in Round 1. Auckland Rugby coach Craig McGrath has dialled in on converting opportunities this weekend.

“We are creating some good chances during the game but not converting. By nailing our core roles individually, we can finish off the opportunities we create”.

The NPC Otago fixture finishes a day of celebration for rugby in Tāmaki Makaurau. The Auckland Storm kick off the day at Eden Park with their Round 7 fixture against Wellington. Then St Peter’s College and Kelston Boys’ High School meet in the 1A Final.

Auckland last played Otago in Round 1 of the 2020 NPC competition, where Auckland proved too good, opening their season with a 38-6 win. Both teams sit on three wins and one loss and will have the Lyn Colling Trophy in their sights on Saturday afternoon.

Colling played 68 times for Otago from 1968 to 1973. Later moving to Auckland and linking with Ponsonby Rugby Club, playing 35 games for Auckland from 1974 to 1976.

Colling coached Ponsonby and the NZ Colts and is a life member of the Auckland Rugby Union.

Kick-off is at 5:05pm on Saturday from Eden Park.

Auckland team v Otago

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