Auckland seek right mix for Otago clash

Tasesa Lavea has

Tasesa Lavea and Isaia Toeava will put their heads together tomorrow night to plot Otago's downfall in their national championship clash at Eden Park.

They have had their share of shaky moments in top rugby, but they will be planning a shaky moment or two for their opponents.

Coach Pat Lam's seven changes for the game include a significant reworking of the backline.

Only fullback Brent Ward and left wing David Smith remain from the team which drew 22-all with Waikato a week ago.

First five-eighths Lavea is back from injury, replacing promising Lachie Munro, captain Sam Tuitupou returns at second five-eighths and Toeava starts at centre.

All Black Joe Rokocoko is switched to the right wing, and halfback Taniela Moa replaces last week's captain, Steve Devine.

But it's Lavea and Toeava who are the interesting selections, for different reasons.

Lavea copped plenty of flak last season at the Blues in the Super 14 and, to an extent, earlier in the Air New Zealand Cup.

And 20-year-old Toeava's last game was the All Blacks' win at Pretoria on August 26, when he seemed nervous and his hands let him down.

The All Black selectors are firm believers, but the public jury remains out, making it a tough time to be young, gifted and on a pedestal.

"We talk to each other because we've been through the same sort of flak," Lavea said yesterday.

"With the Blues it was hard. We lost two or three games on the trot and I sort of got the whole blame for it.

"I knew I wasn't playing the best rugby ... but I moved on from there."

Lavea, who has thrown his lot in with Samoa and is in the Pacific Islanders squad to tour Britain at the end of the year, has faith in Toeava.

"He's got the skill set, the pace and he's got the understanding of the game."

Lam defended Lavea's selection with a blunt "he's our No 1 first-five".

Otago must win or their hopes of a home quarter-final will be sunk.

They have Anton Oliver back hooking, and give first starts this season to wing Matt Saunders - missing since the NPC final a year ago with a shoulder injury - and lock Pelu Pavihi.

Byron Kelleher and his old All Black captain, Tana Umaga, will be on the bench tomorrow when Waikato host Wellington in Hamilton.

Umaga is sitting it out as Wellington coach John Plumtree has given Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith another chance to push their All Black midfield ambitions.

Brendon Leonard, one of Waikato's top performers, is over a foot injury and starts at halfback.

Waikato are without hooker Tom Willis, with a sprained ankle, but Stephen Donald is over his ankle knock and starts at No 10.

North Harbour and Canterbury will name their teams tomorrow for Sunday's Ranfurly Shield clash in Christchurch.

* Bay of Plenty have re-signed prop and captain Ben Castle for another two years.