Backline riches as Muliaina returns

By WYNNE GRAY

Backline choices have expanded for Auckland with Mils Muliaina's availability complicating the selection for Sunday's NPC meeting with Bay of Plenty.

Muliaina is back in contention after being suspended for two games for a social indiscretion.

But finding a place for the utility threequarter may be difficult after the backline showed plenty of second-half harmony when Auckland demolished North Harbour 43-17 last weekend.

New second five-eighths Ben Atiga made a strong start, Eroni Clarke did not miss in his 150th match, and Doug Howlett, Iliesa Tanivula and Carlos Spencer were a potent attacking trio.

It seems likely coach Wayne Pivac will start with the same combination.

Loose-forward Craig de Goldi will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury and his replacement in the squad will be NZ Colt Sione Lauaki.

There do not appear to be any other injuries, but Pivac may decide to use several fringe forwards in this match. But he will be wary because of the Bay's form this season and the fortunate 10-6 victory Auckland had against them last year.

"Their forwards have shown they can rumble a fair bit and they also have a number of good ball carriers who will give us some problems if we are not on our game," he said.

"These next two games [BoP and Southland] are must-win matches for us. They are vital because we then have a run home against the big sides.

"If we want to be serious contenders for the championship this season then we have to get the points in our next couple of games.

"As much as we might like to, we can't experiment too much because we need to get the right results."

That sort of thinking may mean Muliaina being left on the bench, with his introduction to the game depending on his side's fortunes on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Blues have named Bruce Robertson as assistant coach to Peter Sloane for the next Super 12.

Robertson was technical adviser this year and has replaced Grant Fox, who decided to step down for family reasons. In recent years Robertson coached the national under-19 and Colts sides, and is coaching Counties in the second division competition.