Toeava's pivotal Shield role
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:39
Auckland coach Pat Lam wasted no time in calling up his All Black stars as the Air New Zealand Cup champions set out to defend the Ranfurly Shield against a fired up Manawatu at Eden Park on Saturday.
Auckland's pride took a hammering - a 3-34 defeat at the hands of Canterbury - in Christchurch last week and not surprising the team looks vastly different for this week's Shield/Air NZ Cup double header.
All three returning All Blacks - hooker Keven Mealamu, prop John Afoa and Isaia Toeava – are in the starting XV.
Toeava has been named at first five-eighth (No.10) - where he first made his mark - with Lachie Munro switching back to fullback. Toeava was in superb form in Auckland's opener against Counties-Manukau playing at fullback, then played 50 minutes of high quality rugby on the left wing for the All Blacks against the Springboks last weekend.
Also back is Benson Stanley, who will partner captain Ben Atiga in midfield.
Suburbs wing Watisoni Lotawa will make his Auckland debut against the Manawatu Turbos on Saturday. The 29 year-old wing is an experienced campaigner with 27 appearances for Southland.
Ponsonby's Chris Lowrey returns from injury to start the match at lock in tandem with clubmate Jay Williams.
But the big news is the inclusion of Toeava, 22, at flyhalf.
Auckland coach Pat Lam said the return to form, capped by his impressive 55 minutes on the field in Cape Town, followed a mind-set change in the young talent.
"I think his confidence [has] built," Lam said.
"Obviously it was low when he first missed out [on the All Blacks]. In the Super 14 he was struggling halfway there when he missed out on game-time.
"We took him to the Sunshine Coast [pre-season] and had a good talk. And the focus was to get him back into the All Blacks, get his confidence up.
"We talked to him being our new Isa Nacewa, who could play [from] No.10 to fullback. Because we know he can do that.
"He was keen on centre, then we switched him [to fullback] for half a game over on the Sunshine Coast and he made four or five big bursts and he said, 'I think I might enjoy that'.
"Then he showed he could step up to test match rugby.
"He has the ability, there is no question. What it is is the confidence. Because he went over with the All Blacks very confident, he showed what he can do.
"We always said he would come through."
Uncapped scrumhalf Taniela Moa is also back in the No.9 jersey, having travelled with the All Blacks as injury cover.
Manawatu coach Dave Rennie also confirmed his 22-man squad for the clash, including the return of captain Josh Bradnock from injury in the No.7 jersey and the promotion of Aaron Cruden from the bench to start at first five-eighth in the place of the injured Matty James (knee trouble).
New Zealand Sevens star Lote Raikabula has retained his spot on the right wing, edging out Aaron James.
Raikabula, who transferred this season from Hawke's Bay, scored a crucial try in the Turbos' 38-38 draw against Waikato last week.
Manawatu also gets midfield strongman Frank Bryant back from suspension.
Teams:
Auckland: 15 Lachie Munro, 14 Watisoni Lotawa, 13 Ben Atiga (captain), 12 Benson Stanley, 11 David Smith, 10 Isaia Toeava, 9 Taniela Moa, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Kurtis Haiu, 5 Jay Williams, 4 Chris Lowrey, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Paea Fa'anunu.
Replacements: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Dean Budd, 19 Onosa'i Auva'a, 20 Grayson Hart, 21 Jamie Helleur, 22 Winston Stanley.
Manawatu: 15 Francisco Bosch, 14 Lote Raikabula, 13 Johnny Leota, 12 Francis Bryant, 11 Andre Taylor, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Aaron Goode, 8 Nick Crosswell, 7 Josh Bradnock, 6 Hamish Gosling, 5 Paul Rodgers, 4 Hayden Triggs, 3
David Te Moana, 2 Rob Foreman, 1 Grant Poulson.
Replacements: 16 Sean O'Connor, 17 Talau Hala, 18 James Goode, 19 Doug Tietjens/Adaam Ross, 20 Aaron Smith, 21 Aaron James, 22 Kurt Baker.
Date: Saturday, August 23
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 14.35 (02.35 GMT)
Referee: Keith Brown
Touch judges: Chris Pollock, Josh Noonan
TMO: Ben Skeen
