Preview: Wellington v Auckland
An in-form Wellington outfit host an out-of-sorts Auckland side at Westpac Stadium in Saturday's ITM Cup showdown.
An in-form Wellington outfit host an out-of-sorts Auckland side at Westpac Stadium in Saturday's ITM Cup showdown.
The Lions enter this clash against Auckland eager to earn their second successive win of the competition after overcoming Taranaki's challenge in their season opener in New Plymouth last weekend.
After a full week off, the Lions host the first of two home games in four days and three matches overall in eight days.
The Aucklanders come to the NZ capital desperate to register their first win of the season after losing their season opener 33-40 to Canterbury at Eden Park and being stung 25-32 by Otago in their second consecutive home match on Wednesday.
Wellington will be hoping to build on their impressive home ground record. In the past five years the Lions have won 29 of 33 games at Westpac Stadium, including two unbeaten seasons there in 2006 and 2007.
The two teams have met just twice in the last five years there and only six times overall in ITM Cup matches. Their head-to-head record at the venue stands at three wins apiece.
Last year the two teams met in torrential rain at Eden Park, with Auckland scoring the game's only two tries to win 21-15.
Betting odds. Wellington to win: 2/5; Auckland to win: 15/8; draw: 20/1
The teams:
Wellington: 15 Apoua Stewart, 14 Jason Woodward, 13 Alapati Leiua, 12 Michael Hobbs, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Piri Weepu/TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Scott Fuglistaller, 6 Faifili Levave, 5 Mark Reddish, 4 Jeremy Thrush (c), 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Jacob Ellison.
Replacements: 16 Motu Matu'u, 17 Arden David-Perrott, 18 Api Naikatini, 19 Brad Shields, 20 TJ Perenara/Frae Wilson, 21 Michael Lealava'a, 22 Lote Raikabula, 23 Whetu Henry.
Auckland: 15 Brent Ward, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Hadleigh Parkes, 12 Francis Saili, 11 Charles Piutau, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Sean Polwart, 6 Nathan Hughes, 5 Josh Townsend, 4 Steven Luatua, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Tom McCartney, 1 Tevita Mailau.
Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Pauliasi Manu, 18 Richard Haddon, 19 Onosa'i Auva'a, 20 Auvasa Faleali'i, 21 Piers Francis, 22 George Moala, 23 Angus Ta'avao.