Twelve clubs are represented in coach Grant Pocklington's initial 28-man squad, with six Hornets rewarded with selection. 

The game will be played at Bert Henham Park, with free entry for fans as part of the Auckland Rugby League marking 110 years of existence.

The match will also be streamed live and free on aucklandleague.co.nz.

Pocklington said the strength of the SAS Fox Memorial Premiership and Crown Lift Trucks Fox Championship competitions so far this year meant there was a wide range of talent to pick from.

"We have selected on form, and some of this squad certainly picked itself, but there are also some very good footballers who have missed out" Pocklington said.

"The calibre this year I think is better than last year, which speaks to the quality of the competition."

"We wanted to make sure both our club players and Auckland players currently in the Vodafone Warriors system had a chance to be selected in this team."

Howick's Jethro Friend, who captained last year's squad to a 40-12 victory over the Tonga New Zealand Residents, is in line to take the field again, joined by a further five of his Hornets team mates.

Club committe-man Mike Farrelly takes up the Team Manager role for the programme.

Hornets named to field for Samoa Aukilani include Tony Tuia and Reece Charlie.

The Auckland U18s and Mate Ma'a Tonga NZ U18s will face off in the curtain-raiser at Bert Henham Park ahead of the main game.

Auckland: Eiden Ackland (Mt Albert), David Bhana (Northcote), Geronimo Doyle (Otahuhu), Melino Fineanganofo (Mt Albert), Jethro Friend (Howick), Roydon Gillett (Howick), Richard Holani (Otahuhu), Carlos Hotene (Howick), Jamel Hunt (Papakura), Paulos Latu (Howick), Alifeleti Ngahe (Marist), Ethan Nukanuka (Otahuhu), Api Pewhairangi (Pt Chevalier), Preston Riki (Mt Albert), Kouma Samson (Pt Chevalier), Lewis Soosemea (Mangere East), Matiu Stone-Dunn (Northcote), Zac Tippins (Glenora), Sione Tongia (Pt Chevalier), Setu Tu (Otahuhu), Amoni Tufui (Mt Albert), Reuben Tolovae (Pukekohe), Solomon Vasuvulagi (Glenora), Johnny Vuetibau (Howick), King Vuniyayawa (Manurewa), Cole Waaka (Northcote), James Waterson (Northcote), Clayton Williams (Howick). Head coach: Grant Pocklington – assistant coach Jody Henry – assistant coach Louis Papali'i

Article added: Friday 17 May 2019