Muliaina finally gets call for Auckland

Mils Muliaina gears up for his game at centre for Auckland against North Harbour tomorrow. Picture / Brett Phibbs

Mils Muliaina has finally been eased into the Auckland side for their NPC semifinal against neighbours North Harbour.

One player cannot be the panacea for any rugby team but the decision to use Muliaina from the bench in the past two games did not appear to help Auckland's cause.

The All Black had been shut out because of Brent Ward's form and goalkicking at fullback. There was also a reluctance to use his utility skills elsewhere.

And when coach Pat Lam announced yesterday that Muliaina would play at centre against Harbour, it came with an unusual explanation.

It was almost apologetic as the coach said Ben Atiga had played well on attack and defence.

"This game is about giving Mils an opportunity. You know he did well against Wellington and Canterbury when he came on and this week is his chance to start."

Even with hindsight, Lam said he would not have started Muliaina against Canterbury.

Auckland have made four changes from the lineup beaten by Canterbury last week in their final Ranfurly Shield defence for the season.

Muliaina is joined by another utility, Isa Nacewa, in midfield, Jerome Kaino has been chosen at No 8 and Keven Mealamu starts at hooker instead of his injured All Black team-mate Derren Witcombe.

Second five-eighths Sam Tuitupou and wing Joe Rokocoko have both been troubled this week by minor leg injuries and will be assessed tomorrow to check who will be fit for the reserves.

Lam claimed Harbour were the form team in the NPC in the past month and were a much more dangerous side with Luke McAlister involved after missing the team's round-robin meeting.

Auckland won that game 27-10 with Muliaina's inclusion the only backline change. But the pack is significantly rearranged, with Kurtis Haiu, Bradley Mika, Nick White and John Fonokalafi missing from the pool game.

Auckland had to regain their composure after their unsuccessful Ranfurly Shield challenge while Harbour were on a four-game winning streak.

"They're different with Luke there and their forwards have been going well. They've been a real complete team," said Lam.

Auckland would continue with their attacking ploys but they had to bring a better balance to their gameplan. They had made far too many mistakes against Canterbury, they had succumbed to the pressure and made their highest number of handling errors in any match this season, he said.

But that shield defeat was well behind the team, they were intent on redressing the damage in this sudden-death contest with their franchise partners.

Auckland have won each of the four times they have been up against Harbour in the NPC playoffs.

* Former All Black and North Harbour loose forward Liam Barry has been chosen as skills coach for the Blues for the next two years.

The 34-year-old Barry will start a development and skills programme in next year's inaugural Super 14 competition.

Barry played a test for the All Blacks against France in 1995 and 80 games for Harbour before leaving for a career in Japan.

He is the academy manager for the Hawkes Bay Rugby Union.