Crikey. That's been the common reaction of many reporters after being handed the Auckland team sheet each time coach Pat Lam has named his side so far this season.
As in: "Crikey, who are these blokes"; or "Crikey, this lot are going to struggle against Canterbury".
Yesterday, crikeywas again the right expression. Only this time it was "Crikey, that's not a bad looking side". On paper, at least, it's actually significantly better than not bad.
Lam has made eight starting and positional changes to the side that was hammered in Christchurch last week. The most significant sees Isaia Toeava return from All Blacks duty to take up the first five-eighths role, with Lachie Munro switching to fullback.
Munro has made plenty of individual breaks since being handed the No 10 shirt this season but his link play has looked questionable, with those outside failing to fire. Lam is hoping Toeava, who began his Auckland career at first five-eighths, will provide the service and direction that has been missing.
"Our attack hasn't really been going this year and this gives us an opportunity to try something different," Lam said.
Manawatu may well end up cursing their luck that their shot at the Ranfurly Shield didn't come a week earlier. Auckland's wobbly scrum has been boosted by the return of Keven Mealamu and John Afoa, while the midfield has also been significantly upgraded with the return of Super 14 standout Benson Stanley. The older Stanley replaces his brother Winston, who reverts to the bench, while a knee injury to Jarek Goebel sees former Southlander Watisoni Latawa get his first start for Auckland on the right wing.
In the pack, Chris Lowrey, who has been used mainly at No 8 this season, shifts to lock where he will partner Jay Williams.
