By WYNNE GRAY
Test prop Kees Meeuws will be available for Auckland this week but his imminent departure for Europe, the union's recharged front row and the fluctuating form of the All Blacks will have Auckland coach Pat Lam debating his selection.
Meeuws, who is expected to sign for the French club
Castres, and locks Ali Williams and Angus Macdonald, who have been concussed, are likely to be fit for Saturday's away match against Wellington.
However, wing Doug Howlett will not be considered as he continues to recover from his shoulder injuries.
Another player of interest to Lam will be loose forward Justin Collins, who is tipped to turn out for the development side this week after recovering from heart surgery.
But first Lam will have to sift through his All Blacks and assess their readiness after some mixed performances on Saturday against North Harbour.
Keven Mealamu, Xavier Rush and Sam Tuitupou were strongly involved but Carlos Spencer, Mils Muliaina and Joe Rokocoko, on debut, lacked sharpness.
The pack delivered a massive amount of ball but the All Black-laden backline was unable to create consistent penetration.
David Gibson was neat, Tuitupou robust and Ben Atiga dangerous but he was too rarely employed.
In two appearances this season at Eden Park, Auckland have lost the Ranfurly Shield to Bay of Plenty and been beaten, for only the fourth time, by their North Harbour neighbours.
It is good entertainment but something the public has yet to latch onto, with about 13,000 at each match.
One interested spectator soon will be new Blues and Auckland technical adviser David Nucifora, who is tipped to be at Auckland's next home game, against Taranaki, in a fortnight.
NPC fixtures, results and standings
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