Lavea gets his big chance at last

Tasesa Lavea, his injury problems behind him, finally gets his chance for Auckland in their NPC game against bottom side Northland at Eden Park on Saturday.

The former Melbourne Storm, Manly Sea Eagles and Kiwis back has been left twiddling his thumbs as he sought to get fit for his return to the 15-a-side game.

Having got over a patella tendon injury and a quad muscle strain, Lavea took a whack on a thigh in the week coach Wayne Pivac had wanted to introduce him, against Taranaki on September 13.

"He's had really bad luck," Pivac said yesterday.

Now the 22-year-old Lavea will go from the sideline to a pivotal role as Auckland prepare for a game they must win, preferably with a bonus point, to keep their semifinal hopes alive in a desperately tight race.

He replaces Orene Ai'i, who takes his slippery running skills back to fullback, where Pivac hopes he will prosper in more open spaces than he has found at first five-eighths.

"Tasesa's there to implement the game plan we want to use," Pivac said. "We want a steadier influence at No 10, and Orene can be a bit hot and cold."

Lavea, who showed he was ready by playing a full 80 minutes for the Auckland Development XV last weekend, is also Auckland's best goalkicker.

But it is a case of small steps to start with, so Ben Atiga will do the kicking on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Pivac has given his team a shake-up in the wake of the 32-25 loss to Bay of Plenty at Mt Maunganui, which has left the path to the top four decidedly slippery for the defending champions.

His selection is a mix of straight swaps and injury.

The simple stuff first: Craig McGrath replaces David Gibson at halfback in a selectors' choice.

In the pack, Justin Collins moves from blindside flanker to openside, Angus MacDonald moves from lock to blindside, Bryce Williams comes in to lock and Craig de Goldi drops to the bench.

The essence of those changes was to get some height and beef into the pack.

As for the front row, hooker Derren Witcombe took a blow on his neck.

Witcombe could have started the match, but Pivac said he took the safer option, with Nathan Kemp stepping in and Witcombe warming the bench.

Nick White gets a rest, in part because Pivac wants a look at Soane Tonga'uiha at loosehead prop.

Northland's team for a game which, if they win, would give them a mathematical chance of avoiding bottom spot and the promotion/relegation game, will be named today.

* To no great surprise, Bay of Plenty have stuck with the XV who toppled Auckland for their match against Waikato, although Mark Sorenson and John Moore are bracketed at lock.

* Canterbury coach Aussie McLean tried this week to work out the various semifinal scenarios - with only five points separating the top eight teams - but then gave up.

"I started off looking at what might happen and it was a waste of time," McLean said yesterday.

"It's just a matter of us having to win our last two games.

"If we don't win them both, we may end up outside the top four. If we do win them, I think we'll be in the top four. It's as simple as that.

"Once you get in the top four, anything can happen."

The bottleneck at the top of the standings means there are countless scenarios for Canterbury as they head into a vital away match against North Harbour on Saturday.

Canterbury are sixth, although this is a little misleading. They are equal with three other teams on 20 points, behind equal-first placed Wellington and Otago, both on 23.

Just behind Canterbury are Southland, 19, and Auckland, 18, Canterbury's final-round opponents.

Canterbury must win the match at North Harbour Stadium because North Harbour are one of the teams bracketed on 20 points.

A loss would not only keep Canterbury on 20, but could also put North Harbour out of sight if a bonus point is involved.

Because Wellington are playing Otago in a top-of-the-table clash tomorrow night, it is most likely that one of the leaders will remain on 23 points. That gives Canterbury a chance to pass one of those sides.

Making the mixture even more intriguing is that the only result that is reasonably predictable is that win-less Northland will lose to eighth-placed Auckland.

Taranaki have home advantage against Southland on Sunday afternoon.

Auckland: Orene Ai'i, Iliesa Tanivula, Ben Atiga, Tane Tuipolutu, Brent Ward, Tasesa Lavea, Craig McGrath, Xavier Rush (capt), Justin Collins, Angus MacDonald, Brad Mika, Bryce Williams, John Afoa, Nathan Kemp, Soane Tonga'uiha. Res: Derren Witcombe, Scott Palmer, Sione Lauaki, Craig de Goldi, David Gibson, Benson Stanley, Tony Koonwaiyou.

Bay of Plenty: Damon Kaui, Anthony Tahana, Allan Bunting, Grant McQuoid, Apoua Stewart, Glen Jackson, Kevin Senio, Clayton McMillan (capt), Nili Latu, Wayne Ormond, Mark Sorenson or John Moore, Bernie Upton, Ben Castle, Aleki Lutui, Simms Davison. Res: Ngarimu Simpkins, Taufa'ao Filise, Paul Tupai or Moore, Rodney Voullaire or Moore, Kyle O'Brien, Nathan Strongman, Todd Blythe.