• Auckland will take on the undefeated Mako in Blenheim on Saturday afternoon (KO 2.05pm)
• Victory this weekend will see Auckland defend their 2018 title against either Wellington or Canterbury in the Mitre 10 Cup Final

The equation is simple for both Auckland and Tasman on Saturday – win and you play-on for another week and have a shot at the title, or fall short and start your holiday early.

The Mako have been the stand-out team throughout 2019 and will fancy their chances in Blenheim. Auckland, however, have built some strong momentum and form in recent weeks with bonus-point victories over Southland and Taranaki. The visitor’s also have the opportunity to right a few wrongs from their defeat to Tasman in Nelson during the round-robin.

Suiting-up in blue and white hoops on Saturday is a largely unchanged line-up from 1-23.

The only change in the starting-XV comes on the wing with Caleb Clarke returning from a week away and replacing AJ Lam. Lam moves back to the bench after a strong showing against Taranaki meaning Kurt Heatherley is the unlucky man to miss out.

The familiar feel of the forward pack is something to be excited about. The likes of Scott Scrafton and Dalton Papalii have steadied the ship in recent weeks with their leadership and decision making - allowing their team mates to focus on their core roles.

Head Coach Alama Ieremia is aware of the excitement and pressure that comes with finals football, but is confident the team will take it all in their stride.

“We had to really fight for that win (against Taranaki). It was a hard graft and I think that will put us in good stead for this weekend which is obviously a major game for us. It’s a very exciting week for us, and after nervously watching Canterbury vs. North Harbour, we got stuck into our work for the weekend straight away.”

Regarding the key focuses for this week and the way the side is looking to approach the game, Ieremia said:

“It’ll be very similar this week. With finals rugby you can’t worry about the following week – nothing really matters apart from how you prepare for that week, and your approach to the challenge ahead.”

Auckland team to play Tasman:

1. Alex Hodgman (Suburbs, 10 caps)
2. Leni Apisai (Loaned, 10)
3. Marcel Renata (University, 42)
4. Jamie Lane (Ponsonby, 15)
5. Scott Scrafton (Grammar TEC, 28)
6. Dalton Papalii (Pakuranga, 17)
7. Adrian Choat (Waitemata, 11)
8. Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa (Ponsonby, 11)
9. Jonathan Ruru (University, 21)
10. Harry Plummer (Grammar TEC, 22)
11. Salesi Rayasi (Marist, 21)
12. TJ Faiane – C (Pakuranga, 38)
13. Tumua Manu (College Rifles, 22)
14. Caleb Clarke (Suburbs, 19)
15. Jordan Trainor (Ponsonby, 23)
16. Robbie Abel (College Rifles, 17)
17. Jarred Adams (Suburbs, 16)
18. Marco Fepulea’i (Ponsonby, 17)
19. Lyndon Dunshea (University, 4)
20. Akira Ioane (Ponsonby, 46)
21. Danny Tusitala (Ponsonby, 10)
22. Daniel Kirkpatrick (University, 10)
23. AJ Lam (Grammar TEC, 4)

Unavailable due to injury: Cameron Suafoa (shoulder), Blake Gibson (knee), Peter-Chanel Tagaloa (head), Marcelle Barnard (ankle), Jack Whetton (ankle), Tanielu Tele’a (head)