Prop Aleisha-Pearl Nelson will run out for her 50th match for the Auckland Storm when they face the Wellington Pride in tomorrow’s fourth round Farah Palmer Cup action in Porirua.

The Black Ferns tighthead debuted for the Storm back in 2008 off the bench against Manawatu as a raw 18-year-old. The registered nurse now has 26 test caps to her name and this is her first appearance for the Storm this season after an hiatus following the Women’s Rugby World Cup triumph in Ireland last month, where she came off the bench in the final.

“She’s accumulated a lot of experience in both the black and blue and white jersey over the last nine years. It’s a massive achievement when you consider she didn’t get to have many games earlier on, and credit to her patience,” says Storm head coach JP Fa’amausili.

Black Ferns Fiao’o Fa’amausili and Eloise Blackwell are unavailable for family reasons. Fa’amausili’s 100th match for the Storm will thus go on hold for at last another week.

Charmaine McMenamin slots into the No 8 jersey, with Joanna Fanene moving to the blindside. Lose Mafi shifts to the right wing in place of Hasting Leiataua, while Tiana Ngawati drops back to fullback.

The Storm lost 36-12 to the Counties Manukau Heat last week in Pakuranga.

“We just didn’t play smart in the second half, made it hard for ourselves and went in to our shells defensively,” says coach Fa’amausili, knowing that the team will need to up the ante across the park and rectify the shortcomings.

“At the same time we know it was going to take more than a full week to integrate our full squad, so we are quietly confident that, with everyone’s feet now firmly under the desk, we can just get on with things.”

The Pride, who famously defeated the Storm in the 2006 NPC final at Eden Park, their only victory over Auckland in 25 outings, lie second on the Farah Palmer Cup table with two wins from three games, the latest a tight 11-5 result over Waikato.

“They’ll be strong defensively with some good systems, and they have a big forward pack, so they’ll be tough up front,” says Fa’amausili.

Kickoff is at midday from Jerry Collins Stadium in Porirua. – Campbell Burnes

Auckland Storm squad to play Wellington:

Tiana Ngawati, Lose Mafi, Mele Hufanga (co-c), Onjeurlina Leiataua, Eleni Leiataua, Ruahei Demant, Emma Jensen, Charmaine McMenamin, Moana Fineaso Levi, Joanna Fanene, Charlene Gubb, Rebecca Burch, Aleisha-Pearl Nelson, Karina Stowers (co-c), Aldora Itunu

Reserves: Faasea Sao Taliu, Maki Saena, Leanne Thompson, Bridie Reeves, Corina Nanai, Aeron Warbrooke, Malia Tova