KEY POINTS:
Dropped All Black Troy Flavell has been given two weeks off before he joins Auckland's Air New Zealand Cup rugby campaign.
The lock/loose forward was one of two notable omissions when New Zealand's squad for the World Cup was announced on Sunday, the other being Wellington halfback Piri
Weepu.
Auckland coach Pat Lam said today that Flavell was having the standard fortnight's break that players got after international commitments.
He said Flavell, who captained the Blues and played in five tests this year, including the All Blacks' two away matches in the Tri-Nations, had not had a breather since the Super 14 began.
"He's been going since January," he said.
"He's having his two-week break. He's been going flat out and he'll join us in round three."
Lam said Flavell was disappointed to miss out on World Cup selection but was ready to get back into rugby with Auckland.
"He's excited. He hasn't played for Auckland before and he's looking forward to when he comes back."
While Flavell is having a rest, World Cup-bound winger Doug Howlett will turn out for Auckland in their campaign opener against Counties Manukau at Eden Park on Saturday.
Howlett is among 11 players identified by the test selectors as needing game time before they head off for Europe.
Another in the cup squad, lock Ali Williams, will continue his return from injury with some more club rugby this weekend.
Lam said Williams, who had his jaw broken during the All Blacks' 61-10 win over France in Wellington last month, could be a possibility to face Bay of Plenty next week.
"Ali hasn't played for six weeks so it was felt it was better for him to have some club rugby," he said.
"We'll see how he gets through this week. It's quite a big injury he's coming back from. Obviously there's bigger things for him later on and it's all just part of the rehab process."
Apart from Howlett, the 22-squad to face the Steelers contains 10 other players who have played tests for the All Blacks, including skipper Sam Tuitupou.
In the reserves, former Kiwis rugby league international Tasesa Lavea, who is trying to shrug off niggling injuries from his Super 14 season with the Chiefs, has been bracketed with Benson Stanley.
Auckland: Brent Ward, Doug Howlett, Jamie Helleur, Sam Tuitupou (captain), David Smith, Isa Nacewa, Steve Devine, Jerome Kaino, Daniel Braid, Angus Macdonald, Jay Williams, Kurtis Haiu, John Afoa, Derren Witcombe, Saimone Taumoepeau. Reserves: Nick White, Charlie Faumuina, Brad Mika, Onosa'i Tololima-Auva'a, Taniela Moa, Tasesa Lavea/Benson Stanley, Ben Atiga
- NZPA