The Auckland Storm host Canterbury tomorrow in the semifinals of the Farah Palmer Cup (Colin Maiden Park, 12.05).

The teams met earlier in the season with the Storm coming from behind to beat the southerners 29-25.

Coach Dean Bickerton has made three changes to the starting lineup, Aleisha Nelson getting her first start of the season at tighthead prop and Mele Hunga and Lose Mafi starting on the wings.

After suffering their first defeat since 2013 last Saturday against Counties Manukau Bickerton said there has been some soul searching this week.

“We were playing in the wrong area of the field and Counties did well to keep us there. We spoke about it this week, we have too many leaders out there not to adapt in a game like that,” said Bickerton.

“You never like to lose but I think it might have come at an opportune time, a little bit of adversity can help some times.”

Bickerton said the promotion of Nelson to start will see Doris Taufateau add impact from the bench, while Hufanga is returning from injury to take her place on the wing.

Canterbury halfback Kendra Cocksedge is the competition’s top points scorer and Bickerton said her, and her Canterbury team mates present a tough challenge.

“They have a big kicking game and can attack from anyhwhere. We’ll have to have our discipline right because Kendra is a great kicker.”

The match kicks off at 12.05pm and will be live on Sky.

The Auckland Storm is;
1.    Karina Stowers (Marist)
2.    Fiao’o Fa’amausili (Marist)
3.    Aleisha Nelson (Ponsonby)
4.    Eloise Blackwell (Ponsonby)
5.     Shannon Willoughby (College Rifles)
6.    Charlotte Scanlan (Ponsonby)
7.    Lydia Crossman (College Rifles)
8.    Charmaine McMenamin (Ponsonby)
9.    Emma Jensen (College Rifles)
10.    Kiritapu Demant (College Rifles)
11.    Mele Hufanga (Marist)
12.    Onjeurlina Leiataua (Marist)
13.    Theresa Fitzpatrick (Ponsonby)
14.    Lose Mafi (Marist)
15.    Tyla Nathan-Wong (Marist)

16.    Aldora Itunu (Ponsonby)
17.    Doris Taufateau (College Rifles)
18.    Charlene Gubb (College Rifles)
19.    Nora Baltruweit (College Rifles)
20.    Naite Faitala-Mariner (College Rifles)
21.    Malia Tova (Marist)
22.    Aeron Warbrooke (Ponsonby)