There are five changes to the Auckland Storm starting XV as they seek to solidify a Premiership semifinal berth in the Farah Palmer Cup.

The third-placed Storm face the fifth-placed Manawatu Cyclones in Palmerston North on Saturday.

They will do so without new centurion, hooker Fiao’o Fa’amausili, who has a recurring neck injury, which it is hoped will come right with rest this weekend. Fellow Black Fern, lock Eloise Blackwell, is at a wedding, so Rebecca Burch receives another chance in the second-row. Black Ferns prop Aldora Itunu will wear the No 1 jersey, while her sister Linda will start off the back of the scrum.

Injuries and family commitments in the backline mean that Ponsonby halfback Aeron Warbrooke comes into the halfback position, and veteran Emma Jensen moves out to first five.

“We moved Emma into No 10 because of her experience and knowledge of our systems. This is an opportunity for Aeron to come in and have her first start of the year,” says Storm coach JP Fa’amausili.

The Storm took a solid step forward with the seven tries to one, 37-5, victory over the Harbour Hibiscus in last Friday’s televised fixture in Albany.

“I thought we were heading in the right direction with how we wanted to play. It was a big improvement from the Wellington game. We still have a few things to work on with our core skills. Hopefully we can keep building from that Harbour performance,” adds Fa’amausili.

Livewire Black Ferns fullback Selica Winiata is likely to start for the Cyclones, who are coming off an 86-8 shellacking of Hawke’s Bay. They have a 2-2 record and will be desperate to maintain touching distance from the semifinal positions.

“Manawatu as a team play a razzle-dazzle type of rugby. They like to move the ball around, so we’ll have to be on point on defence,” says Fa’amausili.

Kickoff is at 1pm on Saturday from Central Energy Trust Arena. – Campbell Burnes

Auckland Storm squad to play Manawatu:

Tiana Ngawati, Mele Hufanga (co-c), Eleni Leiataua, Onjeurlina Leiataua, Hinemoa Watene, Emma Jensen, Aeron Warbrooke, Linda Itunu, Leanne Thompson, Joanna Fanene, Charlene Gubb, Rebecca Burch, Aleisha-Pearl Nelson, Karina Stowers (co-c), Aldora Itunu

Reserves: Faasea Sao Taliu, Maki Saena, Charmaine McMenamin, Moana Fineaso-Levi, Bridie Reeves, Lose Mafi, Corina Nanai