It is all ahead for the Auckland Storm in Saturday’s vital final regular season clash with Waikato at Pakuranga’s Bell Park.

The Storm are in third position and know a win will guarantee a semifinal berth next weekend in the Premiership division of the Farah Palmer Cup. A bonus point victory may even be enough to sneak a home semifinal, but that is a long shot as second-placed Canterbury is hosting Wellington and needs just one point to be certain of second place.

Storm coach JP Fa’amausili knows the team will need to lift its performance after an uneven 15-all draw with the Manawatu Cyclones last weekend.

To that end, he has rung six changes from the starting XV.

Hinemoa Watene moves from the wing to fullback in place of Tiana Ngawati, who is absent for personal reasons, while Lose Mafi shifts onto the right wing. Ruahei Demant is back in the No 10 jersey, so Emma Jensen reverts to halfback. In the pack, Black Ferns Charmaine McMenamin (No 8) and Eloise Blackwell (lock) re-enter the starting line-up.

Fiao’o Fa’amausili will make her 101st Storm appearance off the bench after a week off to rehab a neck injury, while the Itunu sisters, Aldora and Linda, will also provide powerful impact off the bench, along with young loose forward Joanna Fanene.

“We didn’t bring enough physicality against Manawatu. We went away from our forward strengths in the conditions, so we need to be more direct, but without restricting our ability to play wide,” says coach Fa’amausili, who also wants to see more consistency from the Storm.

Waikato, who lost 31-20 to Canterbury last weekend, is sixth and last on the tight Premiership table, but still has a chance of qualifying for the semifinals, so will not be lacking for motivation.

Auckland has won all 13 encounters against Waikato dating back to 1999 and has never failed to reach the semifinals stage.

“We have to control our own destiny. It would be nice to get a home semifinal, but we can’t rely on other results,” says Fa’amausili.

“It’s a real scrap for those last two spots, so Waikato has everything to play for. Anyone who plays Auckland tends to get up, so we have to be ready for that challenge.”

Kickoff from Bell Park is at noon on Saturday. – Campbell Burnes

Auckland Storm squad to play Waikato:

Hinemoa Watene, Lose Mafi, Mele Hufanga (co-c), Eleni Leiataua, Onjeurlina Leiataua, Ruahei Demant, Emma Jensen, Charmaine McMenamin, Leanne Thompson, Moana Fineaso-Levi, Charlene Gubb, Eloise Blackwell, Aleisha-Pearl Nelson, Karina Stowers (co-c), Faasea Sao Taliu

Reserves: Aldora Itunu, Fiao’o Fa’amausili, Linda Itunu, Joanna Fanene, Rebecca Burch, Ricshay Lemanu, Corina Nanai