VENUE & TIME: Westpac Stadium, Wellington, Saturday July 23 @1935
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 171; Wellington 78 wins, Auckland 90, drawn 3.
LAST TIME: September 11, 2010 (Auckland) – Auckland 21-15 Wellington.
WALKING WOUNDED: Cory Jane suffered a well-publicised (and slightly gruesomely displayed) compound dislocation of his finger last week but would likely have been on All Black duty anyway this time. Piri Weepu may or may not play, depending on how much time the national selectors give him on Friday. Hurricanes forwards Jacob Ellison and Faifili Levave return for the Lions. Both Daniel Braid and Chris Lowrey suffered head knocks on Wednesday that have ruled them out of this game, although Braid's eye-socket was not fractured as at first feared and he should be back next weekend. Having made a whole mess of changes for the midweek game, Mark Anscombe has changed most of them back again and this team is as close as possible to the one that played Canterbury.

Watch Wellington vs Auckland Live
FORM:Wellington:
Round 1: beat Taranaki 23-5 (a)
Auckland:
Round 1: lost to Canterbury 33-40 (h)
Round 2: lost to Otago 25-32 (h)
Wellington did nicely against Taranaki, making far better use of the chances offered and easing out to a surprisingly comfortable win that would have been even bigger had the goal-kickers not had difficulty hitting the target. There was enough for Andre Bell to get his teeth into at training this week to remove any complacency, but he would have been happy with the way Wellington's forwards controlled territory in the closing stages. Auckland made a good start against Otago but, for the second match running, went to sleep in the middle stages and only woke up when it was too late. Mark Anscombe had a strong case for a penalty try from the play that saw Halani Aulika sin-binned, but he would have been nothing but filthy on his players for allowing two tries while he was off the field and one immediately after he returned. By then Otago was out of sight and not even a strong finish could prevent Otago's first Eden Park win since 1976.
WHO'S HOT: Jason Woodward got the headlines for Wellington last week, as tends to happen when you score three tries in your first championship match. It was very nearly four, as he showed good pace and awareness of where to be and when to be there. Dane Coles has the chance to impress this season and as a senior member of the pack needs to take it each week. Faifili Levave had several strong matches for the Hurricanes, where he demonstrated strength and determination in the tight exchanges and Wellington will want more of the same. Steve Luatua was a good go-to guy in the Auckland lineout against Canterbury and solid around the park, while Peter Saili's return at No 8 adds experience, skill, and a tough competitor who also enjoyed a good year with the Blues. Joe Rokocoko looked sharp collecting his two early tries against Otago and if the visitors can get his some good ball with a bit of space to work in he may well be the most dangerous back on the field.
WE THINK: If Auckland is to rescue its faltering season it needs to start on Saturday, because another loss will probably be terminal for its final hopes. That said, Wellington will be keen to keep its own solid start going and has the firepower to do that, especially if the forwards knuckle down again. They should, and so Wellington by five doesn't look a bad call.
TEAMS:
Wellington: 1. Jacob Ellison, 2. Dane Coles, 3. Neemia Tialata, 4. Jeremy Thrush (capt), 5. Mark Reddish, 6. Faifili Levave, 7. Scott Fuglistaller, 8. Victor Vito, 9. Piri Weepu or TJ Perenara, 10. Lima Sopoaga, 11. Julian Savea, 12. Michael Hobbs, 13. Alipate Leiua, 14. Jason Woodward, 15. Apoua Stewart.
Reserves: 16. Motu Matu'u, 17. Arden David-Perrot, 18. Api Naikatini, 19. Brad Shields, 20. Perenara or Frae Wilson, 21. Michael lealava'a, 22. Lote Raikabula, 23. Whetu Henry.
Auckland: 1. Tevita Mailau, 2. Tom McCartney, 3. Charlie Faumuina, 4. Steve Luatua, 5. Josh Townsend, 6. Nathan Hughes, 7. Sean Polwart, 8. Peter Saili, 9. Alby Mathewson, 10. Gareth Anscombe, 11. Charles Piutau, 12. Francis Saili, 13. Hadleigh Parkes, 14. Joe Rokocoko, 15. Brent Ward.
Reserves: 16. Ash Dixon, 17. Pauliasi Manu, 18. Richard Haddon, 19. Onosai'i Auva'a, 20. Auvasa Faleali'i, 21. Piers Francis, 22. George Moala, 23. Angus Ta'avao.
REFEREE: Glen Jackson
Wellington v Auckland ITM Cup 2011
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