Auckland v Counties-Manakau
Eden Park, 2.35pm tomorrow
If Auckland's players need a sharp reminder of what is at stake tomorrow, they need only cast their minds back a year.
Auckland headed to Pukekohe for the opening round of the Air New Zealand Cup, the first game back at Counties-Manukau's home ground after a temporary, unloved stint at
Mt Smart Stadium.
It went badly wrong for Auckland - or spectacularly right for the hosts, who won 17-6.
Auckland didn't really recover, finishing 10th. A year on and they are in the frame for the semifinals, but their mini bucket list - things they must do in the next eight days - reads: beat Counties-Manukau, then beat Waikato.
Only if they manage that will they still be in the mix come next weekend and the final shakedown.
Auckland are sixth on the table, but it's a squash. They will field an unchanged team from that which beat Taranaki in the slush at New Plymouth last week.
Six players - forwards Tom McCartney, Tevita Mailau, Onosai Auva'a, Kurtis Haiu and Chris Lowrey and halfback Taniela Moa - started the corresponding match last year.
Counties-Manukau are last but they will give it a crack tomorrow.
"They are going to be up for it so we've got to be on our game," Auckland captain Benson Stanley said. "If we give them a sniff then it's a long day at the office."
Lock Andrew van der Heijden was Counties' player of the year last season. He is expecting a warm welcome from his old mates. "We played them in the pre-season and it was a tough game for me so I'm expecting nothing less this time around," he said yesterday. "I've had a few texts from the boys down there so I know we'll be in for a bruising encounter."
All of which should help Auckland focus on the job, and not peer down the road to the semifinals at next weekend's likely showdown against Waikato - assuming both win this weekend.
"Our future in the competition is determined by the next two games," Stanley added. "Win them and we've given ourselves every chance. Apart from Canterbury, with the win-loss ratio there's not a lot in it."
Veteran Tasesa Lavea returns to steer Counties-Manukau around a ground he knows well from his Blues days, and Dean Cummins is back at second five-eighths after recovering from a blow to the head.
North Harbour have lost well-performed openside flanker Tom Chamberlain for their trip to Wellington today.
Chamberlain, a Blues man this year, hurt his back in last week's impressive win over Bay of Plenty and failed a fitness test yesterday. His place has gone to Scott Uren, getting a maiden start.
North Harbour can do Auckland a favour - and given the uneasy Blues situation among its three unions, there's a hoot - by beating Wellington.
North Harbour should also have figured that if they did beat Wellington, and Manawatu in the final round, they'll finish in a respectable mid-table position.
Wellington will run out armed with All Blacks, including halfback Piri Weepu, who needs a solid game to put in a late rails run for All Black selection tomorrow.
Harbour co-coach Jeff Wilson hopes lessons are being absorbed by the players, many of whom are relatively new to the top flight.
"It's a challenge for these guys but they're looking forward to play against All Blacks," he said.
Prop Nathan White plays his 50th game for Waikato against Northland in Hamilton today. Waikato are unchanged and must win to keep their momentum going, after four straight victories.
In today's other match Otago host Tasman.
AUCKLAND v COUNTIES-MANAKAU
Auckland
Paul Williams
Joe Rokocoko
Benson Stanley (c)
Jamie Helleur
Atieli Pakalani
Ash Moeke
Taniela Moa
Chris Lowrey
Onosa'i Auva'a
Jerome Kaino
A. Van der Heijden
Kurtis Haiu
John Afoa
Tom McCartney
Tevita Mailau
Reserves: Pat Leafa, Pauliasi Manu, Jay Williams, Peter Saili, Auvasa Faleali'i, Gareth Arlidge, Chay Raui.
Counties-Manakau
Williams/Tuala
David Raikuna
Siale Piutau
Dean Cummins
Sherwin Stowers
Tasesa Lavea (c)
Notise Tauafao
Waka Setitaia
DJ Forbest
Fritz Lee
Rees Logan
Alepini Olosoni
Tuaefe Palelei
Ilaisa Maasi
Simon Lemalu
Reserves: Matt Holloway, Kojak Faioso, Jamie Chipman, Ryota Asano, Samisoni Fisilau/August Pulu, Seremaia Tagicakibau, Nanai-Williams/Tuala