Poster puts Mika in the picture

By WYNNE GRAY

An old Auckland rugby poster still hangs on Bradley Mika's bedroom wall.

You know it's ancient because Southland captain Steve Jackson is pictured in that extended squad before his transfer in 1997 to start his NPC career.

"From what I have seen of Steve, he is a strong player and his pack works a lot off him," Mika observed.

"Their forwards have shown plenty of drive and while they might have been rated one of the so-called bottom teams, this game will be as difficult as any - especially as we need to win all our games to make the final four."

Another look at the poster will remind Mika of his duties tomorrow.

Auckland coach Wayne Pivac has demanded increased strikepower from his pack, the sort of muscle which Jackson has been able to wring from his troops.

Auckland host Southland at Eden Park where history has favoured the home side since 1939. But this is a World Cup year, Auckland have been bitten by All Black defections while Southland lie fourth, ahead of their more favoured rivals.

And the visitors have some form, more grunt than previous years, a backline with some pace and impact off the bench.

After a couple of patchy games, Auckland's forwards got a tune-up for the away game against Taranaki. The coaching staff wanted better technical support play from the loose-forwards, more impact from the tight five.

The sort of wallop Mika brought to the NPC last year as Auckland rampaged to the title. A reminder of that form is in another part of the Mika household.

In the sitting room is the framed All Black jersey the lock wore in Paris last November against France, his solitary test start to go with visits from the bench against England and Wales.

It is a special rugby treasure and Mika admits to occasional pangs about returning to All Black status.

"I got a break in the Super 12 when Troy [Flavell] was unavailable, but I did lose a bit of form - I think I might have suffered from too much footie in too short a time," he said.

He also wondered whether he might switch to a loose-forward job, in the role he often played when he attended St Peter's College.

His disquiet continued as he sat on the bench against Waikato and Otago.

But Mika was recalled last week and he remains in the Auckland second row tomorrow.

He has a new partner, Bryce Williams, with Angus Macdonald on the bench as the selectors continue to tinker.

Midfield back Sam Tuitupou is listed to start for Auckland, but his appearance must be in doubt after he suffered another shoulder injury last week.

The other area of great uncertainty tomorrow will be the goalkicking, with Gavin Williams having mixed success for Southland while Ben Atiga and Brent Ward have been erratic for Auckland.

Auckland: Ben Atiga, Iliesa Tanivula, Tane Tuipolotu, Sam Tuitupou, Brent Ward, Orene Ai'i, David Gibson, Xavier Rush (capt), Daniel Braid, Justin Collins, Bradley Mika, Bryce Williams, John Afoa, Derren Witcombe, Nick White. Res: Nathan Kemp, Soane Tonga'uiha, Angus Macdonald, Sione Lauaki, Craig McGrath, Isa Nacewa, Shannon Paku.

Southland: Graydon Staniforth, Mana Harrison, Gavin Williams, Seremaia Bai, Hayden Martine, James Wilson, Jimmy Cowan, Paul Miller, Ben Herring, Hale T-Pole, Steve Jackson (capt), Daniel Quate, Clarke Dermody, Jason Rutledge, Keith Cameron. Res: David Hall, Brett Rogers, Hoani Macdonald, Pita Wilson; Jason Harrison, Richard Apanui, James Jowsey.

Referee: Kelvin Deaker.Kickoff: 2.35pm.

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