Jeremy Stanley back in NPC frame

By CHRIS RATTUE

Jeremy Stanley has made a quicker than expected return to the Auckland side for their NPC clash against Southland at Eden Park on Friday night.

The 26-year-old did not feature in any of Auckland's warm-up games and was a substitute for Ponsonby when they won the Gallaher Shield final against Otahuhu 11 days ago.

But Stanley has been brought in for Amasio Valence at second five-eighths to tackle the southern battlers for the opening NPC round.

Auckland coach Wayne Pivac said Stanley had struggled through the Super 12 for the Blues with a groin injury. It meant that often he could not train until late in the week, and Auckland had told him that this would not be tolerated.

But Stanley convinced the Auckland coaches of his fitness playing for the B team against the A side in Auckland's final camp at Paihia at the weekend.

"We told him to have an operation or rest the injury until it was okay, which is what he did," Pivac said.

Valence had suffered niggling injuries and had not been in peak form in warm-up games.

Stanley will offer Auckland a much stronger presence and more rugged defence in the midfield.

Pivac and co-coach Grant Fox believe that a night game against Southland is likely to be a battle around the forwards and the fringes.

Night games can be less expansive because of dew - the forecast is not good for the next few days - and Southland's strength is up front.

Auckland have two injury worries. Lock Robin Brooke hurt an elbow in the last warm-up match against Northland and has been bracketed with Bradley Mika. Wing Joeli Vidiri is bracketed with Justin Wilson after straining a leg muscle.

Aiden Vince at first five-eighth and Ben Meyer at halfback are two of the more interesting selections for Northland to play Taranaki in New Plymouth on Friday night.

Vince gets the nod ahead of Blues and Auckland import James Arlidge, and Aucklander Meyer has been chosen over local boy Sam Pinder.

North Harbour second five-eighths Rua Tipoki has been ruled out of his side's match against Otago at Carisbrook on Friday night because of a neck injury.

Auckland: Malili Muliaina, Iliesa Tanivula, Eroni Clarke, Jeremy Stanley, Joeli Vidiri/Justin Wilson, Carlos Spencer, Steve Devine; Samiu Vahafolau, Justin Collins, Xavier Rush (capt), Robin Brooke/Bradley Mika, Charles Riechelmann, Christian Califano, Keven Mealamu, Nick White. Reserves: Wilson/Sam Tuitupou, Amasio Valence, Kevin Senio; Stephen Bates, Mika/Ali Williams, Paul Thomson, James Christian.

Northland: Hayden Taylor, Fero Lasagavibau, Brad Miller, Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Jason Shoemark, Aiden Vince, Ben Meyer, Graham Hilton-Jones, Allen Tubbs, Glenn Taylor (capt), Vula Maimuri, Brett Waaka, Tim Knight, Derrin Witcombe/Tim Dow, Mike Storey. Reserves: Joeli Veitiyaki, Brad Taylor, Hayden Wright, Sam Pinder, James Arlidge, Jason Hita.