Convention key for Auckland

Waikato might have fallen into the trap and Canterbury were also a little off the pace, but Auckland are determined not to underestimate Southland at Eden Park today.

Most observers expected the Stags to struggle this season but they pushed Canterbury for 60 minutes and lost only in the dying seconds against Waikato last weekend.

"Southland showed in the weekend they are a good side and they should've won. We know there is no way we can underestimate them," Auckland coach Pat Lam surmised. "They should have beaten us last year and we are wary of them."

Auckland, though, are definitely not the side they were last year. As they showed in beating North Harbour and Otago, the players have learned that the conventional is often a better route than the spectacular. Or rather, they have learned that if they do the conventional well, it creates more opportunities to indulge in the spectacular.

There are already signs of belief, attitude and organisation that was missing in Lam's side last year and which has purged the misplaced complacency that merely turning up would be enough.

Doug Howlett's All Black call-up has paved the way for James Somerset - a reincarnation of Terry Wright - to make his NPC debut and Isa Nacewa, recovered from a corked-thigh, has ousted Sam Tuitupou from the No 12 jersey.

Nacewa runs well and offers a nice sleight of hand. He'll be asked to create the holes and then offload to the finishing talents of Ben Atiga, Brent Ward and Tony Koonwaiyou.

An important clash will be the respective back rows. Auckland's loose-forward trio is shaping as the best in the competition with the vastly under-rated Justin Collins churning through a colossal amount of work to allow Jerome Kaino and Angus MacDonald to roam. Southland have new loosie Tim Boys and veteran Paul Miller but will need their front five to give them some sort of platform. Auckland's John Afoa, who returns after spending the week in camp with the All Blacks, is on the bench, while prop Nick White plays his 50th game for the union.

Auckland Brent Ward, James Somerset, Ben Atiga, Isa Nacewa, Tony Koonwaiyou, Tasesa Lavea, Taniela Moa, Jerome Kaino, Angus MacDonald, Justin Collins (c), Kurtis Haiu, Brad Mika, Daniel Muller, Semisi Telefoni, Nick White. Reserves: John Fonokalafi, John Afoa, Bryce Williams, Daniel Crichton, Ofisa Tonu'u, Isaia Toeava, Sam Tuitupou.

Southland James Wilson, Ben Smith, Watisoni Lotawa, Pehi Te Whare, Faolua Muliaina, Richard Apanui, Jimmy Cowan, Paul Miller, Tim Boys, Hoani Macdonald, Daniel Quate, Hale T-Pole, Jayden Murch, David Hall, Clarke Dermody (c). Reserves: Jason Rutledge, Craig Dunlea, Rees Logan, Jeff Wright, Sam Muir, Matt Petre, Jason Kawau.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY