All Black prop Charlie Faumuina has been named to start in his 50th Auckland match on Friday night against Southland, alongside fellow All Black forwards Patrick Tuipulotu and Ofa Tu’ungafasi.

Auckland coach Nick White has been able to bolster his squad with the return of the All Blacks, an enviable position to be in as the team head into a stretch of three matches in 10 days.

“It’s always great to have those boys back and it’s really good for them as well to get some game time,” said White. 

“Hopefully we can use them to our advantage. It’s good timing, as we head into three games in ten days because it allows us to freshen up a few guys.”

“Having their presence and  their knowledge has been big this week. We’ve got to make sure they maintain standards and get out and perform, not just for us but for themselves as they head back to the All Blacks,” said White.

Injuries to Melani Nanai and Lolagi Visina see Tyrone Elkington-MacDonald and Joe Ravouvou earn their first starts, with Pryor Collier completing the back three.

“Tyrone is a good communicator which with Joe and Pryor on the wings is a big advantage and he also brings a kicking game, it will be a good opportunity for him.” 

White said after playing out a draw in Invercargill last year, his men will have to bring it up front to get the result.

“We will have to play pretty well to beat them. The Southland boys at home, they love playing against us and we need to get the detail of our game right and get it right up front.” 

Midfielder Pasqualle Dunn will make his Auckland debut off the bench

Auckland team to face Southland
1.    Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Grammar TEC)
2.    Greg Pleasants-Tate (Ponsonby)
3.    Charlie Faumuina (Papatoetoe)
4.    Scott Scrafton (Grammar TEC)
5.    Patrick Tuipulotu (Ponsonby)
6.    Joe Edwards (Pakuranga)
7.    Akira Ioane (Ponsonby)
8.    Steven Luatua (University)
9.    Leon Fukofuka (Marist)
10.    Simon Hickey (Grammar TEC)
11.    Pryor Collier (Ponsonby)
12.    Vince Aso (Ponsonby)
13.    Rieko Ioane (Ponsonby)
14.    Joe Ravouvou (College Rifles)
15.    Tyrone Elkington-MacDonald (University)

16.    Kurt Eklund (University)
17.    Tom McHugh (Grammar TEC)
18.    Marcel Renata (University)
19.    Michael Fatialofa (Ponsonby)
20.    Taleni Seu (Grammar TEC)
21.    Jono Hickey (Grammar TEC)
22.    Latiume Fosita (Papatoetoe)
23.    Pasqualle Dunn (College Rifles) *debut