Auckland's greenhorns will face a test of their mettle tomorrow night against the Southland Stags as the ITM Cup kicks off in Invercargill.
Coach Paul Feeney has named a 23 long on talent but short on caps. Prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi will skipper the side while Simon Hickey gets over hisknee complaint.
Tu'ungafasi was in the All Blacks camp last month and will need to mark up and anchor the scrum up against Southland centurion and talismanic captain Jamie Mackintosh.
Lock Michael Fatialofa is one of 11 who will play their first game for Auckland, but he should have plenty of intel on Southland, having played 36 games for the Stags. The Southland pack includes seasoned hard nuts such as Elliot Dixon, Josh Bekhuis and Tim Boys while former Auckland pivot Ash Moeke will turn out in the No10 jersey.
"We're under no illusions about tomorrow night. Southland has a really good pack and some good backs," said Feeney. "Playing at home, nothing would fire them up more than the Jafas going down there. They are lying in wait to bush-whack us, so it will be a very difficult game and a great test for our guys."
Auckland's pre-season form was strong, winning three from three, including a 48-17 spanking of North Harbour in last Thursday's unofficial Battle of the Bridge at Onewa Domain. Wing Ben Lam scored a hat-trick there, as did fullback Melani Nanai.
Feeney is expecting big things from Lam on the left wing, while Bryce Heem on the other wing, back from 25 games for the Tasman Makos, has also impressed. Such is their form that Rieko Ioane has been squeezed out of the 23. Vince Aso suits up at centre for his third season of ITM Cup.
Prop Charlie Faumuina should be available for the August 23 home clash against defending champs Taranaki, as should captain designate Hickey.
Southland v Auckland Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill, 7.35pm tomorrow Auckland: Melani Nanai, Bryce Heem, Vince Aso, George Moala, Ben Lam, Mitch Hunt, Jono Hickey, Akira Ioane, Blake Gibson, Joe Edwards, Scott Scrafton, Michael Fatialofa, Ofa Tu'ungafasi (c), Greg Pleasants-Tate, Sam Prattley; Reserves: Jono Owen, Kurt Eklund, Isi Tu'ungafasi, William Lloyd, Taleni Seu, Kaito Shigeno, Calvary Fonoti, Lolagi Visinia
