Rugby: Stanleys in central roles for Auckland

Benson Stanley. Photo / Brett Phibbs

All Black Benson Stanley has been shifted into his usual midfield position after Auckland changed their backline for tomorrow's provincial challenge against Hawkes Bay.

Stanley's move allows his younger brother, Winston, to slot into centre, while regulars Brent Ward and Chay Raui have swapped their fullback and left-wing roles.

All Black wing Joe Rokocoko returned to training after his national leave with his right knee heavily strapped.

He was due to return next week but will be drip-fed from the bench into this ITM Cup match.

"We want to keep some momentum," coach Mark Anscombe said.

"It was miserable conditions [at the Shield challenge in Southland] and we want to give the boys a chance to keep growing."

Second five-eighths Jamie Helleur had been a rock on defence, but Stanley was finding his feet again after a long time without much matchplay, said Anscombe, meaning this was a good chance to play the brothers together.

Raui had injured his shoulder early in the competition, which hampered plans to use him at fullback, but the selectors had persevered with the plan.

They had also put the put the disappointment of the Shield challenge behind them.

However, the coaches had sent some clips of that game to referees boss Lyndon Bray, asking for some analysis and explanation.

Southland were a strong outfit, their discipline on defence was crucial and several factors went in their favour.

Auckland had enough possession to win last week and might need to move away from their default mechanism of keeping the ball close to their impressive pack.

"If we'd had the confidence to use the ball a bit wider we might have created some opportunities and that is what we need to bring into our game," said Anscombe.

"Maybe it is the weather which makes the guys lack a bit of confidence in doing that, so that has been our emphasis this week: to back themselves and use the ball a bit more."

Most of the team had been playing strongly, the coach said, conceding there were a couple of areas where Auckland needed to improve.

He said the younger team members had given some life from the bench and some were getting closer to a start.

Auckland were helped by some results in the last round and were still sitting strongly in the chase for the top four playoffs.

"But if we don't do the job here we could go from third to eighth," Anscombe warned.

He noted that Hawkes Bay had been semifinalists in the past three years, had won well last week and would be pushing to get into the top half of the competition for next year. Counties-Manukau loose forward

*Fritz Lee was suspended for three weeks for a dangerous high tackle on Northland halfback Luke Hamilton during a national provincial championship rugby match.

Lee was sent off for the tackle at Pukekohe on Sunday. Counties-Manukau won the match 40-24.

The ban was imposed after Lee appeared before New Zealand Rugby Union judicial officer Peter Hobbs in Wellington yesterday. Hobbs said the tackle was reckless and exposed Hamilton to the risk of serious injury.

AUCKLAND

Eden Park, 7.35pm tomorrow

Chay Raui
Dave Thomas
Winston Stanley
Benson Stanley
Brent Ward
Matt Berquist
Toby Morland
Peter Saili
Daniel Braid (c)
Onosai Auva'a
Kurtis Haiu
A. van der Heijden
Charlie Faumuina
Tom McCartney
John Afoa

HAWKES BAY

Israel Dagg
Mark Jackman
J. Shoemark (c)
Ryan McLeod
Sinoti Sinoti
Kahn Fotualii
Chris Eaton
Michael Coman
Karl Lowe
T. B-Wakefield
Ross Kennedy
Bryn Evans
Anthony Perenise
Hika Elliot
Lia Manua

Auckland: Ash Dixon, Angus Ta'avao, Liaki Moli, Sean Polwart, Brenton Helleur, Gareth Anscombe, Joe Rokocoko.

Hawkes Bay: Gillies Kaka, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Michael Johnson, Brodie Rettalick, Jodie Allen, Situvava, Eugene Smith.