Auckland focus in on the Mako at Eden Park

Auckland return to Eden Park for an important fixture against Tasman. As the Bunnings Warehouse NPC moves to the end of the round robin, every point counts towards securing home field advantage come finals time.

The Auckland coaching staff have welcomed back some experienced heads for the game against the Mako, and a strong back line has been given an opportunity to perform.

The experienced heads of Alex Hodgman and Blake Gibson return to the starting XV after being unavailable due to injury.

Grammar TEC lock Josh Beehre takes his second start of the season. Jamie Lane joins Beehre in the starting team, and Hamish Dalzell will be on hand later in the piece.

Ponsonby’s Tomas Aoake starts on the left wing, and Salesi Rayasi will look to unleash his left boot from fullback for the unavailable Jordan Trainor.

The Blues midfield pairing of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Bryce Heem will take the field on Saturday afternoon. AJ Lam will look to inject his skills from the right wing.

Waitemata loose forward Niko Jones gains another opportunity to share his skills later in the game.

Auckland Coach Craig McGrath says there has been a strong focus on the team leading into the Mako fixture.

“We have spent a good part of this week concentrating on ourselves and what we can control during the game. We should be in a good position on Saturday if we can execute that.”

Auckland were handed their only loss of the 2021 season by Tasman. The Mako managed to slip away with a 16-11 win at Trafalgar Park in Nelson.

Kick-off is at 4:35 pm from Eden Park on Saturday.

Auckland team v Tasman

  1. Alex Hodgman (Eden)
  2. Soane Vikena (Waitemata)
  3. Angus Ta’avao (Eden)
  4. Jamie Lane (Ponsonby)
  5. Josh Beehre (Grammar TEC)
  6. Blake Gibson (Ponsonby)
  7. Adrian Choat (Waitemata)
  8. Jackson Pugh (Marist)
  9. Taufa Funaki (Marist)
  10. Harry Plummer © (Grammar TEC)
  11. Tomas Aoake (Ponsonby)
  12. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (East Tamaki)
  13. Bryce Heem (Grammar TEC)
  14. AJ Lam (Grammar TEC)
  15. Salesi Rayasi (Marist)
  16. Robbie Abel (Waitemata)
  17. Jordan Lay (University)
  18. Marcel Renata (University)
  19. Hamish Dalzell (College Rifles)
  20. Niko Jones (Waitemata)
  21. Manu Paea (Manukau)
  22. Simon Hickey (Grammar TEC)
  23. Corey Evans (Grammar TEC)

 

Unavailable due to Injury: Vaiolini Ekuasi, Joshua Fusitua, Hamdahn Tuipulotu, Leni Apisai, Zarn Sullivan, Jordan Trainor, Tanielu Tele’a

 

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