Head Coach, Alama Ieremia has made multiple changes to the starting XV for Auckland’s second home game of the season against the Manawatu Turbos on Sunday afternoon.

Simon Hickey will return to the team after suffering a head knock against Otago in the opening round of the Mitre 10 Cup. The Grammar TEC First-Five will run out for his 50^th appearance in the Blue and White Hoops when he takes the field this weekend.

An accomplishment that has been a long time coming for the 26-year-old after making his debut for Auckland as a teenager. Hickey returned to New Zealand to play for his home province after leaving to play in Europe 5 years ago, leaving him on 48 appearances for Auckland.

With six players unavailable due to All Blacks commitments, Ieremia has gone to his new blood and some experienced heads for the Sunday afternoon fixture.

Patrick Tuipulotu has been cleared by All Blacks management to join the team on the bench for Sunday.

Marist Halfback, Taufa Funaki has been given his first start for Auckland. A member of the 2019 Auckland Rugby Academy, the 20-year-old will start inside the 50-game veteran Hickey in Sunday’s game against the Turbos.

Former Manawatu Turbo, Sione Tuipulotu will be in line to make his first appearance off the bench for Auckland against his former team. The Wesley College old boy has been in impressive form for his Eden club in the Gallaher Shield competition. Head Coach, Ieremia is expecting to hit the ground running on Sunday afternoon.

“The new additions to the team are no strangers to how we have been preparing during the week. We picked a large squad for a reason. Every player has deserved their selection this week and it is up to them to perform going forward”.

Kick off is at 2:05pm on Sunday afternoon at Eden Park. Although there are no GA tickets for sale, Auckland Rugby and Eden Park are excited to welcome pods of 100 into the stadium. As an event facility, Eden Park can operate under Alert Level 2 with a limited audience, whilst observing strict COVID-19 Protocols.

Auckland v Manawatu

1. Jarred Adams (Suburbs)
2. Leni Apisai (Ponsonby)
3. Angus Ta’avao (Eden)
4. Scott Scrafton (Grammar TEC)
5. Jack Whetton (Grammar TEC)
6. Adrian Choat (Waitemata)
7. Blake Gibson (Ponsonby)
8. Waimana Reidlinger-Kapa (Ponsonby)
9. Taufa Funaki (Marist)(DEBUT)
10. Simon Hickey (Grammar TEC)(50 GAMES)
11. Salesi Rayasi (Marist)
12. TJ Faiane © (Pakuranga)
13. Tumua Manu (College Rifles)
14. AJ Lam (Grammar TEC)
15. Jordan Trainor (Ponsonby)
16. Mike Sosene-Feagai (Marist)
17. Marcel Renata (University)
18. James Lay (University)
19. Patrick Tuipulotu (Ponsonby)
20. Sione Tuipulotu (Eden)(DEBUT)
21. Jonathan Ruru (University)
22. Harry Plummer (Grammar TEC)
23. Zarn Sullivan (College Rifles)