• The Storm wil be looking to build on last week's win over Tasman
• Savah Gautusa partners Ruahei Demant in the midfield
• Mele Hufanga is primed to make her return from the bench

The Storm will face a stern test this coming Saturday against 2016 champions Counties Manukau.

Head Coach JP Fa’amausili has made few changes from the side that delivered a virtuoso performance at Eden Park on Friday night against Tasman. The home side ran out comfortable victors in that match-up, but will know that a much stiffer challenge will present itself this weekend.

Savah Gautusa joins Ruahei Demant in the midfield as the only change to the starting fifteen. The College Rifles combination will have the opportunity to click into gear in earnest and Demant will look to continue her incredible point scoring form with 31 in the last match alone.

Mele Hufanga also returns this week and she will be looking to make a more than noticeable impact from the bench by offering a more physical point of difference when called upon.

Fa’amausili is under no illusions as to the challenge presented by Counties Manukau.

“The Heat are clearly a good side. You only have to look over their record in recent years and the problems they’ve caused us to know we’ll be in for a challenge.”

“The goal for us is to continue to build consistency and momentum. It was good to get off the mark against Tasman, but if we want to be challenging for the title this year, then games like this really matter.”

With Margarette Nena and Natahlia Moors away on international duty in the coming weeks, the re-introduction of Hufanga is an important aspect of the next few rounds for the Storm.

“You can’t teach experience, and that’s what Mele provides us, said Fa’amausili.”

“It’s not just what you see her deliver week-in, week-out on the field, but how she nurtures the younger members of our squad throughout the week at training, so that they can grow and become better.”

The Storm will be looking to continue from where they left off against Tasman last week against a Counties Manukau side that will be primed for another blue and white scalp at home.

Storm team to play Counties Manukau Heat:

1. Margaret Vaiouga (Marist)
2. Fiao’o Fa’amausili (Marist)
3. Aleisha-Pearl Nelson (College Rifles)
4. Eloise Blackwell (Eden)
5. Charmaine Smith (College Rifles)
6. Linda Itunu (Ponsonby)
7. Misaki Suzuki (Marist)
8. Charmaine McMenamin – Captain (Ponsonby)
9. Aeron Warbrooke (Ponsonby)
10. Margarette Nena (Eden)
11. Corina Nanai (College Rifles)
12. Ruahei Demant (College Rifles)
13. Savah Gautusa (College Rifles)
14. Natahlia Moors (Ponsonby)
15. Hasting Leiataua (Marist)
16. Aldora Itunu (Ponsonby)
17. Luti Sikoloni (Marist)
18. Jacqui Aiono (Marist)
19. Joanna Fanene (Marist)
20. Maiko Fujimoto (Ponsonby)
21. Jennifer-Rose Reu (Marist)
22. Mele Hufanga (Marist)