Rugby: Front row problems resurface for Auks

By Wynne Gray

Worries about the frontrow wobbles for Auckland have returned for their NPC top-of-the-table clash with neighbours Waikato.

Improving prop Scott Palmer ruptured a calf muscle during Auckland's impressive 45-10 win against another front-running combination - Otago - and will be sidelined for several weeks.

Without the retired Olo Brown and Craig Dowd injured and then on All Black duty, Auckland were facing a frontrow fragility which undermined their last season. However the return of Palmer from a stint in Europe shored up some of the problems - until Saturday night.

"We will have to give the issue a fair bit of thought," coach Wayne Pivac said as he contemplated Friday's meeting with Waikato at Eden Park - a game which should earn the winner a home semifinal.

Without Palmer, it would seem logical for Auckland to reintroduce hooker Paul Mitchell for his stronger scrummaging and lineout ability and probably use tighthead prop reserve Kalau Fukofuka.

Waikato too may have some frontrow problems with Michael Collins still battling to recover from his illness while the Ranfurly Shield holders will definitely be without blindside flanker Nick Holten (dislocated shoulder) and Mark Cooksley (neck) is also in doubt.

Apart from the Palmer problem, Auckland have just a few niggles to Leo Lafaiali'i and Michael Jones though neither is expected to miss the next round.

Another certain to front on Friday is first five-eighths Orene Ai'i, picked to start his first NPC game against Otago and finishing with a personal tally of three tries.

"He played very well," said Pivac. "He ran when the chance was there and also got the backline away when he had to. He did all the things we wanted from him.

"He is a very confident guy from playing in the national sevens side, he does not get too uptight and enjoyed himself after getting that first early try."

Ai'i played fullback for the union's development XV and while he had potential, Pivac agreed the Otago game was very much a make-or-break match for the talented teenager. He was fortunate he got plenty of latitude from the Otago defence.

Players had been rotated to keep team unity strong and to maintain players' match fitness. In that category have been Mitchell and Keven Mealamu at hooker, Finau Maka and Mark Carter at flanker, Steve Devine with Ofisa Tonu'u at halfback and Doug Howlett and Iliesa Tanivula on the wing.