• Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa retains his spot at blindside flanker
• Auckland in-line to finish top of the Mitre 10 Cup standings

The traditional rivalry is renewed on Sunday afternoon as North Harbour come to Eden Park to take on an Auckland side who are looking to seal top spot in the Mitre 10 Cup.

North Harbour, depending on Wellington’s result against Taranaki, may also have the opportunity to sneak in to a semi-final spot with a victory over the blue and whites.

Regardless of the individual team’s fortunes come kick-off on Sunday, there is no doubt that the match will be filled with passion and physicality in what is arguably the most intense local derby in New Zealand provincial rugby.

With this in mind, Auckland have made several changes in the starting forward pack from Wednesday night. It’s an entirely new front row with Sam Prattley, Robbie Abel and Marcel Renata tasked with combating the impressive North Harbour scrum. Evan Olmstead slides into lock and Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa retains his spot at blindside flanker with Dalton Papali’i and Akira Ioane joining him in the loose-forward trio.

Head Coach Alama Ieremia sees Sunday as critical moving forward into the post-season and is well aware of the battle awaiting his side.

“It’ll be a hiss and roar coming from them. They have a pretty formidable forward pack that had a really strong scrum against Counties.”

“They’re a team that’s been together for a while and they know what finals footy is all about, so they’ll be hungry to get that spot. It is however, about looking after our backyard first and getting our tactics right.”

Auckland team to play North Harbour:

1. Sam Prattley (Pakuranga)
2. Robbie Abel (College Rifles)
3. Marcel Renata (University)
4. Fa’atiga Lemalu (Papatoetoe)
5. Evan Olmstead (Suburbs)
6. Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa (Ponsonby)
7. Dalton Papali’i (Pakuranga)
8. Akira Ioane (Ponsonby)
9. Jonathan Ruru (University)
10. Harry Plummer (Grammar TEC)
11. Salesi Rayasi (Marist)
12. TJ Faiane – Captain (Pakuranga)
13. Tumua Manu (College Rifles)
14. Melani Nanai (Manukau Rovers)
15. Jordan Trainor (Ponsonby)
16. Mike Sosene-Feagai (Mt Wellington)
17. Jarred Adams (Suburbs)
18. Marco Fepulea’i (Ponsonby)
19. Michael Fatialofa (Ponsonby)
20. Hoskins Sotutu (Marist)
21. Desma Liaina (Eden)
22. Jacob Umaga (Eden)/Daniel Kirkpatrick (University)
23. Caleb Clarke (Suburbs)

Unavailable due to injury: Taniela Koroi (arm – season), Taleni Seu (back), Jack Whetton (ankle), Lyndon Dunshea (shoulder – season), Blake Gibson (quad – season), Ezekiel Lindenmuth (head), Tanielu Tele’a (knee – season)