Auckland v Bay of Plenty
Eden Park, 2.35pm tomorrow
Auckland coach Mark Anscombe has turned the heat up even more on his side for tomorrow's match against Bay of Plenty.
After a solitary win in four provincial matches this season, Anscombe has ditched two of his Super 14 loose forwards and replaced them with younger players he hopes will provide extra sting in the game at Eden Park.
Onosai Tololima-Auva'a and Dean Budd have hit the exit route and been replaced by two young loosies from the Grammar club, Hamish Paterson and Daniel Faleafa.
"We needed to get things going a bit better in that area and we think both the guys coming in, who were loaned at some stage up north, can do some business for us," Anscombe said.
"We don't know but we need to find out and the other boys need to go and get some form elsewhere."
The new pair and Peter Saili will start the match while Anscombe, who was a loose forward in his provincial playing days, will also have the luxury of All Black Jerome Kaino on the bench.
Kaino stayed over in Sydney after the test and Anscombe decided the best solution was to blood his other players and train them throughout the week.
The coach has also made a change at first five-eighths where Daniel Bowden's portfolio will be compared to Mike Delaney, who has been in sparkling form this season for Bay of Plenty.
Bowden was concussed a few weeks back and replaced by youngster Ash Moeke who showed a strong tactical kicking game and composure in his first time at this level. But this week, the selection has been reversed.
"Daniel has got more experience and has the ability to get his outsides going a bit better so we will see how that goes," Anscombe said.
With the firepower of Isaia Toeava and Joe Rokocoko lurking out wide where the All Black selectors are also desperate to see some spark, Auckland will hope that Bowden is the man to unleash that armoury.
"We need all we can get because the Bay have been all hustle and bustle and they are playing very confidently as a team," said Anscombe.
"Delaney has been playing out of his skin and we will need to pay him close attention and close him down.
"We are making some headway though there are areas which are still concerning us. The numbers say we still have problems and that is a concern though we feel, as a group, things have been getting better."
Those selecting the Blues group for next season's final Super 14 series will hope there is improvement as Northland remains the most successful side in the region, ahead of Auckland and North Harbour, who between them have managed to collect two wins from nine matches.
* * *
Counties-Manukau's joy at their first win last Sunday could be short-lived.
They host Waikato, who bring back three of their four All Blacks - hooker Aled de Malmanche, halfback Brendon Leonard and first five-eighths Stephen Donald, the exception being wing Sitiveni Sivivatu - as they set about getting off the bottom of the table.
Captain Liam Messam has new loose forward company, No 8 Alex Bradley, of the province's development team, getting a start and another up and comer, Matt Blain, who debuted last week.
Counties were well worth their 33-21 win over Taranaki last weekend and moving captain Tasesa Lavea into No 10 may not have been a coincidence.
Manawatu's fine run of form should continue when they host Taranaki in Palmerston North today.
The 'Naki are expected to have All Black hooker Andrew Hore back as they seek to banish the disappointment of last weekend.
Manawatu have been playing good rugby, they are well led by flanker Josh Bradnock, have pacey young backs and are smartly organised by one of the players of the championship, national under-21 captain Aaron Cruden.
* * *
The Heartland championship kicks off today with the 12 provinces divided into two pools. Last year's champions Wanganui host East Coast in the opening round; Poverty Bay, who won the second tier Lochore Cup, are away to King Country in Taupo. The top three in each pool will go into the Meads Cup after the round robin; the bottom three contest the Lochore Cup.
AUCKLAND v BAY OF PLENTY
Auckland
Paul Williams
Joe Rokocoko
Isaia Toeava
Benson Stanley (c)
Dave Thomas
Daniel Bowden
Taniela Moa
Peter Saili
Hamish Paterson
Daniel Faleafa
A. van der Heijden
Kurtis Haiu
John Afoa
Tom McCartney
Pauliasi Manu
Reserves: Francis Smith, Paea Faanunu, Jay Williams, Jerome Kaino, Grayson Hart, Ash Moeke, Jamie Helleur.
Bay of Plenty
Zar Lawrence
Nigel Hunt
Cory Aporo
Phil Burleigh
Jason Hona
Mike Delany
J Poluleuligaga
Colin Bourke (c)
Luke Braid
Tanerau Latimer
Culum Retallick
John Moore
James McGougan
John Pareanga
Josh Hohneck
Reserves: Dean Elmiger, Ted Tauroa, Mark Burman, Solomon King, Nick McCashin, Wayne Hughson, Ben Smith
