Auckland today made two changes to their starting 15 to face Hawke's Bay in their Air NZ Cup rugby semi-final on Saturday.
Coach Pat Lam has kept intact the backline that began the quarterfinal defeat of Taranaki last weekend, but brought back Brad Mika and Saimone Taumoepeau to the pack.
Mika returns at No 8, with Jerome Kaino moving to blindside flanker and Angus Macdonald dropping to the bench.
Taumoepeau's recall to loosehead prop means he rotates places with Chris Heard, who is back in the reserves after wearing the No 1 jersey last weekend.
Hawke's Bay coach Peter Russell has made one change to his side for the clash at Eden Park.
Ben Batger who was at fullback for part of the quarterfinal against Waikato last week replaces Jason Kupa on the right wing.
Israel Dagg, who came on as replacement fullback and scored a try in the 38-35 win over Waikato starts at No 15 against Auckland.
Teams for the Air New Zealand Cup rugby championship semifinals:
Tomorrow
Canterbury v Wellington in Christchurch, 7.35pm.
Canterbury: Scott Hamilton, Rico Gear, Casey Laulala, Tim Bateman, Paul Williams, Stephen Brett, Kevin Senio, Nasi Manu, Johnny Leo'o, Kieran Read, Kevin O'Neill, Michael Paterson, Campbell Johnstone, Corey Flynn (captain), Ben Franks.
Reserves: Mikaele Tuu'u, Mike Smith, Isaac Ross, Hayden Hopgood, Tyson Keats, Hamish Gard, Steven Yates.
Wellington: Cory Jane, Ma'a Nonu, Tane Tu'ipulotu, Tamati Ellison (captain), Shannon Paku, Jimmy Gopperth, Piri Weepu, Thomas Waldrom, Tom Harding, Api Naikatini, Bernie Upton, Jeremy Thrush, John Schwalger, Luke Mahoney, Jacob Ellison.
Reserves: Dane Coles, Anthony Pelenise, Fafili Levave, Alex Tulou, Alby Mathewson, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Hosea Gear.
Saturday
Auckland v Hawke's Bay in Auckland, 7.35pm.
Auckland: Brent Ward, David Smith, Ben Atiga, Sam Tuitupou (captain), Benson Stanley, Isa Nacewa, Taniela Moa, Brad Mika, Daniel Braid, Jerome Kaino, Jay Williams, Kurtis Haiu, John Afoa, Tom McCartney, Saimone Taumoepeau.
Reserves: Chris Heard, Nick White, Troy Flavell, Angus Macdonald, Grayson Hart, Lachie Munro, Chris Mahony.
Hawke's Bay: Israel Dagg, Ben Batger, Jason Shoemark, Sam Giddens, Zac Guildford, Matt Berquist, Chris Eaton, Grant Webb, Karl Lowe, Michael Johnson (captain), Bryn Evans, Matt Egan, Tim Fairbrother, Hikawera Elliot, Faka'anaua Taumalolo
Reserves: Jamie Muir, Christian Pera, Will Crutchley, George Naoupu, Chad Shepherd, Aayden Clarke, Justin Wilson.