KEY POINTS:
Brothers Ali and Jay Williams will play first class rugby together for the first time tomorrow night after being named as Auckland's starting locks for the visit to Bay of Plenty.
After playing club rugby last weekend, France-bound All Black Ali is taking the next step in his
rehabilitation from a broken jaw, while younger brother Jay has retained his spot despite coach Pat Lam making nine personnel and positional changes to the side that beat Counties-Manukau.
"For me it is going to be very special, obviously for our family as well," Ali Williams said.
"You've got to appreciate the good things in rugby and one of them is playing alongside family.
"I'm pretty bloody proud of [Jay]. He has had to grind a lot more [than me]. So to see it happen is something quite special."
The older Williams rated his brother the better natural athlete but said both of them had to work on the mental side of their games. "To be honest I'm going to be chasing him around and following what he does."
Having played just a handful of games over the last six months after being dumped by the Blues during the Super 14, Williams is delighted at the prospect of some game time against the Steamers.
"It has been a testing year in a lot of areas," he said.
"When you don't have rugby you realise how important it is. To get out on that track and play means a lot."
Williams said his injured jaw had been given a thorough workout in last weekend's match for Ponsonby.
"The first run I got smacked across it but it came through.
"I know the surgeon has done a great job. It has healed. It's now down to the business of running around smacking each other. I'm probably fitter than I was coming back from conditioning break. One more run out on the track and I'll be fine."
With Steve Devine ruled out with by a head injury, Lam has promoted Taniela Moa to start at halfback and has called up 19-year-old Grammar Carlton halfback Grayson Hart - the nephew of former Auckland halfback and All Blacks coach John - to provide cover on the bench.
Hooker Derren Witcombe is also on the injured list and is undergoing tests on his neck after feeling numbness in his arm following a collapsed scrum on Saturday.
Lance Po-Ching has been promoted from the bench to start in Witcombe's place.
Ben Atiga has also been restored to the starting line-up in place of Jamie Helleur, who drops out of the squad altogether.
Jerome Kaino is the sole surviving loose forward from round one, although he switches from No 8 to blindside to accommodate Brad Mika, who makes his first start of the season after a strong showing off the bench against Counties.
Onosa'i Tololima-Auva'a has also been rewarded for his two-try effort off the bench against Counties, displacing openside Daniel Braid, who drops to the bench. Angus Macdonald and Kurtis Haiu have been bracketed on the bench and there is no place in the 22 for Tasesa Lavea.
Blue Chip Stadium, Mt Maunganui, 7.35pm tomorrow
BAY OF PLENTY
15. Mike Delany
14. Teu Nafe
13. Cory Aporo
12. Rena Schuster
11. Anthony Tahana
10. Murray Williams
9. Garrick Cowley
8. Colin Bourke
7. Tanerau Latimer
6. Solomon King
5. Culum Retallick
4. Warren Smith
3. Ben Castle (c)
2. Ngarimu Simpkins
1. Simms Davison
Reserves: Marcel Cummings-Toone/Mike Ormsby, Matt Wallis, Aaron Rameka/John Moore, Aidan Kuka, Charles Hubbard, Tahjon Mailata, Lance MacDonald.
AUCKLAND
15. Brent Ward
14. Doug Howlett
13. Ben Atiga
12. Sam Tuitupou (c)
11. David Smith
10. Isa Nacewa
9. Taniela Moa
8. Brad Mika
7. Tololima-Auva'a
6. Jerome Kaino
5. Jay Williams
4. Ali Williams
3. John Afoa
2. Lance Po-Ching
1. S. Taumoepeau
Reserves: Nick White, Charlie Faumuina, Angus Macdonald/Kurtis Haiu, Daniel Braid, Grayson Hart, Lachie Munro, Benson Stanley.
