Auckland's big three are reunited again; and Taranaki have recalled their boozing gang of five for a match tomorrow which could mean curtains for the losers in the national championship semifinal bunfight.
All Black Joe Rokocoko returns to Auckland's right wing and links up with fellow internationals flanker Jerome Kaino
and tighthead prop John Afoa for the trip to New Plymouth, and they will provide a substantial boost, in more ways than one.
"They have a huge influence on what goes on," hooker Tom McCartney said yesterday.
"And not only on, but also off the field. They bring a great voice to the team and when they talk the young guys do stop and listen."
The trio made an immediate impact after missing the losses in the opening two rounds, to Hawkes Bay and Canterbury. They were key figures in the comprehensive round three win over Northland at Kerikeri which got Auckland's stuttery campaign moving.
Rokocoko, who replaces young Chay Raui - with speedy winger Atelia Pakalani reverting from right to left wing - is the only change from the side which beat Southland 27-13 at Eden Park last week.
The timing couldn't be better. Auckland sit seventh on the table, two points outside the top four; Taranaki, who walloped Otago 38-10 last Saturday, are two places, and two points, further back.
But it's a squash, and McCartney made it clear no one's been reaching for the calculator to try to work out the whos and what ifs of the last three weeks' run-in to the playoffs.
"I don't think you can worry too much about what other teams are doing. We can only control what we can control, so we're looking at three games and need three wins. If we do that we should be thereabouts at the end of the season."
Auckland finish with a home game against bottom side Counties-Manukau and an awkward trip to Hamilton.
Taranaki reacted curiously in the wake of the towelling they handed out to Otago by recalling all five players who were suspended from that game for misconduct relating to breaching team alcohol rules after their narrow loss to Waikato on September 25.
No 8 Jarrad Hoeata is the only one rushed back into the starting XV, with Ace Malo, Ed Jenkins, Chris Walker and Baydon Phillips all on the reserves bench.
Taranaki won't have All Black hooker Andrew Hore tomorrow night. However Hore is available for next week's trip to Southland, but will be out again for the final round robin game against Bay of Plenty. Go figure.
Hore or no Hore, Auckland are ready for a scrap.
"We're under no illusions it's going to be a battle. You look at what happened to Otago last week," McCartney said.
Hawkes Bay can pencil themselves into the semifinals if they get a five-point win over Counties-Manukau in Napier tonight. Pencil, but not ink. The way this season has gone you'd want to hedge your bets at least a week longer.
Zac Guildford's last-gasp try, engineered by his promising young backline crony Israel Dagg, may prove to be a two-for-one - Hawkes Bay are up to second on the strength of that 21-19 win, and Bay of Plenty's hopes nosedived as they slid to sixth.
Counties-Manukau are still without first five-eighths Tasesa Lavea, who rolled an ankle before last week's Ranfurly Shield challenge in Christchurch.
Prop Simon Lemalu switches to loosehead for the first time, while fullback Ahsee Tuala returns from the bench, with Tim Nanai-Williams moving from No 15 to second five-eighths.
No 8 Sione Lauaki, unsighted this season apart from one game due to damaged ligaments in a foot, has re-signed with Waikato and the Chiefs. He has agreed to one season with Waikato and two for the Chiefs in the Super 14, with an option to pull out after one.
Lauaki, who played 17 tests for the All Blacks, had been expected to head towards Japan. He has had his foot in plaster, then a moon boot after damaging it in round two against Manawatu.
Veteran David Holwell is poised to become Northland's 22nd 100-game player against Wellington on Sunday. The list of centurions is headed by former All Black the late Joe Morgan with 165 appearances.
* Taranaki vs Auckland
New Plymouth, 7.35pm tomorrow
Taranaki
Jack Cameron
Nathan Hohaia
Paul Perez
Jayden Hayward
Shayne Austin
Willie Ripia
Brett Goodin
Jarrad Hoeata
Ben Souness
Johnny Willis
Craig Clarke
Jason Eaton
Michael Bent
Laurence Corlett
Tony Penn (c)
Auckland
Paul Williams
Joe Rokocoko
Benson Stanley
Jamie Helleur
Atelia Pakalani
Ash Moeke
Taniela Moa
Chris Lowrey
Onosai Auva'a
Jerome Kaino
Kurtis Haiu
A. van der Heijden
John Afoa
Tom McCartney
Tevita Mailau
Reserves
Taranaki: James Hinchco, Carl Carmichael, Nemia Soqeta, Chris Walker, Bayden Phillips, Ed Jenkins, Ace Malo
Auckland: Pat Leafa, Pauliasi Manu, Jay Williams, Peter Saili, Auvasa Faleali'i, Gareth Arlidge, Chay Raui
Joe Rokocoko returns to Auckland's right wing tomorrow. Photo / Dean Purcell
Auckland's big three are reunited again; and Taranaki have recalled their boozing gang of five for a match tomorrow which could mean curtains for the losers in the national championship semifinal bunfight.
All Black Joe Rokocoko returns to Auckland's right wing and links up with fellow internationals flanker Jerome Kaino
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