Auckland need more of the second-half commitment which saw them steal victory from Wellington when they face Bay of Plenty in today's crossover clash in Rotorua.
Paul Feeney's charges need victory to stay in touch with the Premiership pacesetters, but will not want a repeat of first-half mistakes against theLions which saw them concede a 24-point halftime deficit.
"This team is pretty motivated and focused after that second-half performance. We showed ourselves more so than anyone else what we can do if we put together a good 40 minutes. We just need to do that from the outset. So we're looking forward to the boys' reaction [today] coming off last week's display," said Feeney.
They will also be anxious to retain the John Drake Boot. The Steamers cleaned them out 37-16 on this ground two years ago, but Auckland turned the tables at Eden Park last year.
Once again, All Blacks Charlie Faumuina and Charlie Piutau were not released, but there are four changes, with 19-year-old Blake Gibson taking the No 6 jersey after a top second spell last week, while Liaki Moli returns to lock and halfback Leon Fukofuka wins his first start at halfback. Ben Lam replaces the injured Vince Aso on the wing. Francis Saili, while penetrating on attack, will want to eradicate his costly errors from last week, as TJ Faiane is waiting in the wings for his Auckland debut. The Simon Hickey-Gareth Anscombe 10-15 act remains intact.
• After a 26-10 defeat to the Manawatu Turbos, the Counties Manukau Steelers need energy and cohesion as they contemplate tomorrow's Premiership clash with Waikato in Hamilton.
Coach Tana Umaga has made several changes, with halfback Kane Hancy pushing Augustine Pulu to the bench, while Rey Lee-Lo and Bundee Aki have swapped midfield jerseys. Sikeli Nabou starts at lock.
All Blacks squad halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow comes on to the bench for Waikato.
• The Hawke's Bay Magpies defend the Ranfurly Shield against Otago in tomorrow's later game in Napier, the very team they won it off last year before the Steelers cut their tenure short at six days.
ITM Cup games Today: Bay of Plenty v Auckland, Rotorua, 2.35pm Southland v Northland, Invercargill, 4.35pm Tomorrow: Waikato v Counties Manukau, Hamilton, 2.35pm Hawke's Bay v Otago, Napier, 4.35pm
