Auckland take on North Harbour with a spot in the Bunnings Warehouse NPC semi-finals up for grabs.

Auckland fans will be treated to a second “Battle of The Bridge” instalment in the 2022 season, with teams meeting back in the opening round, where Auckland claimed the win 36-26.

Although no official trophies will be on the line, bragging rights and a semi-final berth will be enough for the Auckland regional sides to put their best case forward on Friday night.

The Blue and White Hoops managed one of their strongest performances in the second half against Taranaki to secure a 38-24 win and a date with their northern neighbours.

Friday’s game will bring up a special milestone for two Auckland stalwarts. Blake Gibson and Angus Ta’avao will play their 50th game for their home province.

Blake Gibson debuted in 2014 out of Ponsonby Rugby Club and St Kentigern College. The loose forward has captained his Auckland side on several occasions, co-captaining the side to their 2018 NPC Championship.

Angus Ta’avao pulled on the Blue and White Hoops in 2010, representing Eden Rugby Club and Dilworth College and will run on for his 50th appearance just 12 years later.

Grammar TEC utility Jock McKenzie will be in line for his long-awaited debut on Friday. McKenzie has achieved the rare feat of making his Super Rugby debut for The Blues before his provincial union.

The Auckland Rugby coaching staff will welcome some further experience to their forward pack, with All Blacks and Ponsonby club men Patrick Tuipulotu and Akira Ioane joining the starting XV.

Ioane moves into the loose forward trio for the injured Adrian Choat, and Tuipulotu will lock in with Hamish Dalzell.

Auckland Coach Alama Ieremia believes his team will carry momentum from their final round-robin game.

“We have taken some good points out of the second half of last weekend, and we need to channel some of that momentum into this game.”

Ieremia also acknowledged the position he sees North Harbour in heading into the knockout game.

“We have to take some confidence from our result at the start of the season against North Harbour, but they have come a long way since the opening round, and they showed that last week against Southland.”

Kick-off is at 7:05 pm from North Harbour Stadium on Friday night.

Auckland team v North Harbour

1. Alex Hodgman (Eden)
2. Soane Vikena (Waitemata)
3. Angus Ta’avao (Eden) (50 GAMES)
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (Ponsonby)
5. Hamish Dalzell (College Rifles)
6. Akira Ioane (Ponsonby)
7. Blake Gibson (Ponsonby) (50 GAMES)
8. Jackson Pugh (Marist)
9. Taufa Funaki (Marist)
10. Harry Plummer © (Grammar TEC)
11. Tomas Aoake (Ponsonby)
12. Corey Evans (Grammar TEC)
13. AJ Lam (Grammar TEC)
14. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (East Tamaki)
15. Jordan Trainor (Ponsonby)
16. Leni Apisai (Ponsonby)
17. Jordan Lay (University)
18. Marcel Renata (University)
19. Josh Beehre (Grammar TEC)
20. Terrell Peita (Ponsonby)
21. Manu Paea (Manukau)
22. Simon Hickey (Grammar TEC)
23. Jock McKenzie (Grammar TEC) (DEBUT)

Unavailable: Salesi Rayasi, Bryce Heem, Adrian Choat, Hamdahn Tuipulotu, Niko Jones, Zarn Sullivan, Tanielu Tele’a, Jamie Lane.