Ben Franks, left, completes a lineout drill with Michael Allardice and Tony Lamborn at training this week. Photo / Paul Taylor
If All Blacks prop Ben Franks is feeling the tension in the countdown to the naming of the World Cup squad on Sunday he's hiding it well.
"I can't control what the selectors do. They will have made their plans for whatever reasons ... nothing I do this week will change their minds but I'm happy with my form this season," Franks said, after training with the Hawke's Bay Magpies in the buildup to tonight's ITM Cup third-round clash against the Counties-Manukau Steelers in Pukekohe.
The match will be Franks' third for the Magpies and first since September, 2013. He said the ABs selectors haven't given him any work-ons this week.
"Basically they said to go out and have a game ... so I'm going out to enjoy it with the aim of playing well for Hawke's Bay and getting a win for the Magpies."
Franks, 31, who had a light training session with the Magpies on Monday and a full day of training on Wednesday, said he knows more players in the Magpies team this season because of the number of his Hurricanes teammates, than he did in 2013.
He watched the Steelers play Canterbury last weekend and was impressed with their physicality, defensive systems, ball carriers and set-piece play.
"They've been together for a while so this is a good game to be back for," Franks said.
An All Black since 2008 and, like fellow Magpies Israel Dagg and Zac Guildford, a member of the 2011 World Cup-winning team, Franks replaces tighthead Jarvy Aoake in the only change to the starting pack used in last weekend's win against Otago. Magpies head coach Craig Philpott said Aoake has had a lot of rugby and it is a good time for him to have a rest.
"Ben has been good at training this week.
"The Steelers forwards will be a huge step up from the Northland and Otago packs we faced so it's an ideal time to have him here."
It will be a surprise if Franks isn't one of five props named on Sunday.
The only changes to the Magpies' starting backline see Guildford switch from the left wing to the right to replace Ryan Tongia and Shannan Chase take the left wing. The Magpies' substitute forwards are the same, while two changes have been made to the substitute backs with Tongia replacing Chase and veteran halfback Chris Eaton replacing Jonathan Ruru, who returns to the Saracens team for tomorrow's clash with Manawatu at Park Island.
Prop Jason Long, No8 Joseph Penitito, first five-eighth Tyrone Elkington-MacDonald and utility back Lewis Marshall will also be on Saracens duty. Outside backs Mason Emerson and Jonah Lowe will be rested this week after playing for the Hawke's Bay Under-19s last weekend.
Steelers head coach and new Blues boss Tana Umaga has made nine changes to the starting XV used against Canterbury. Prop Sean Bagshaw and hooker Michael Lea come into the starting front row and there will be a different locking combination in Sikeli Nabou and Viliame Rarasea.
The talented Maama Vaipulu, who was under-utilised with the Chiefs during the Super season, and Onosai'i Auva'a will start in the loose forwards. Former All Black Frank Halai will start on the right wing after returning from injury, Toni Pulu moves to fullback and Johnny Fa'auli will start at second five-eighth. Talented midfielder Cardiff Vaega, promising loosie Dan Hyatt, prop Pauliasi Manu and hooker Gafatasi Su'a move to the bench.
"Hawke's Bay are a team in good form. They are playing with confidence and have some quality players coming back, so we have to be very mindful of that. We need to focus on what we are trying to achieve. We have some players having their first start this week and we trust those guys to be able to deliver for us," Umaga said.
Expect the Magpies to fly home with their third consecutive victory. Considering the calibre of the Steelers outfit, four competition points will be acceptable this week too.
Counties-Manukau:
Toni Pulu, Frank Halai, Sam Vaka, Johnny Fa'auli, Sione Fifita, Piers Francis, Richard Judd, Maama Vaipulu, Onosai Auva'a, Jimmy Tupou (captain), Viliame Rarasea, Sikeli Nabou, Jarrod Firth, Michael Lea, Sean Bagshaw.
Substitutes: Forwards, Gafatasi Su'a, Pauliasi Manu, Sam Aiono, Dan Hyatt, Sam Henwood; backs, Kane Hancy, Nathan de Thierry, Cardiff Vaega.
Hawke's Bay: Israel Dagg, Zac Guildford, Richard Buckman, Andrew Horrell, Shannan Chase, Ihaia West, Ellery Wilson, Brendon O'Connor (captain), Tom Stanley, Tony Lamborn, Michael Allardice, Mark Abbott, Ben Franks, Ash Dixon, Brendon Edmonds.
Substitutes: Forwards, Jorian Tangaere, Tolu Fahamokioa, Mark Braidwood, Sanaila Waqa, Trent Boswell-Wakefield; backs, Chris Eaton, Billy Ropiha, Ryan Tongia.