"We know Manawatu is a dangerous animal. From a coaching perspective, I can understand what sort of motivation they'll have coming up. It's a must-win for us and could easily be a banana skin game."
Lolagi Visinia returns at fullback knowing that he needs a big game after a mediocre showing against Canterbury, and not just with his overcooked kickoffs. Charlie Piutau, who impressed at centre against Waikato, has a sore body but will be right for Otago.
There were three forced changes through injury, hooker Greg Pleasants-Tate, No 8 Akira Ioane and halfback Kaito Shigeno all scratched. Kurt Eklund starts his first Auckland game at rake, having been consistently one of the best club players over the past 2-3 seasons. Pakuranga lock Ben Neenee and halfback Dwayne Polataivao could make their debuts off the bench.
There was talk of a last pre-RWC run for prop Charlie Faumuina but Feeney said there had been no directive from the All Blacks selectors, with the team flying out tomorrow night.
Auckland were hot to trot against Waikato, especially in the second spell, but there will be no sun on their backs, and quite possibly rain on their heads, so they will need to be more circumspect with their tactics.
"We were down 21-17 at halftime and in an arm-wrestle, so to respond like we did was fantastic. To win that second half 33-7 and the manner in which we did it and the tries we scored was pleasing," Feeney said.
Callum Gibbins returns from injury in one of nine changes to the Manawatu side, and reserve halfback Toby Morland may get a run against his old union.
Auckland: Lolagi Visinia, Melani Nanai, Rieko Ioane, George Moala, Ben Lam, Simon Hickey (c), Jono Hickey, Joe Edwards, Mitch Karpik, Taleni Seu, Scott Scrafton, Michael Fatialofa, Jono Owen, Kurt Eklund, Sam Prattley; Reserves: Sam Thomas, Isi Tu'ungafasi, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Ben Neenee, Matt Matich, Dwayne Polataivao, Mitch Hunt, Vince Aso
