The Auckland Storm team has been named for the 2016 Farah Palmer Cup final.

While the competition has a new name this season, the Storm has a rich history in winning the last eight titles.

Sunday will present one of the toughest challenges, the Storm traveling to Pukekohe to play Counties Manukau who hold the favourite’s tag after finishing top of the table.

“They are a good team,” said coach Dean Bickerton.

“We expect them to play a territory game which they do very well. Their forwards lay the platform and then they have world class players in the outside backs.”

Bickerton said his team has had a good week in preparation.

“It hasn’t been too different this week. The mentality is that it is another game and the team have just been going about their business.

“We did some video work have put together a strategy about how we can tackle the match,” said Bickerton.

Black Fern Charlene Gubb returns to the starting lineup, completing a tight five who all have international experience.

In the backline, Theresa Fitzpatrick has been ruled out after sustaining a shoulder injury in last week’s semifinal, she is replaced by Naite Faitala-Mariner. Teuila Fotu-Moala returns to take her place on the wing.

Bickerton said he will be looking for his experience players to step up. Emma Jensen (97) and Fiao’o Fa’amausili (96) are the two most capped players in the competition’s history.

“The leadership of those players is massive. We saw that last week against Canterbury, when the leaders step up, the others follow.”

The match will kick off at 2.30pm at ECOLight stadium and will be broadcast live on SKY.

Auckland Storm to play in FPC Final
1. Karina Stowers (Marist)
2. Fiao’o Fa’amausili (Marist)
3. Aleisha Nelson (Ponsonby)
4. Eloise Blackwell (Ponsonby)
5. Charlene Gubb (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. Naite Faitala-Mariner (College Rifles)
14. Teuila Fotu-Moala (Ponsonby)
15. Tyla Nathan-Wong (Marist) 

16. Aldora Itunu (Ponsonby)
17. Doris Taufateau (College Rifles)
18. Malia Tova (Marist)
19. Shannon Willoughby (College Rifles)
20. Nora Baltruweit (College Rifles)
21. Aeron Warbrooke (Ponsonby)
22. Lose Mafi (Marist)