Auckland will be back at Eden Park for Round 8 of The Mitre Cup with the Stan Thomas Trophy on the line against top of the table, Waikato.

Both teams will be looking to help secure their semi-final spot when they meet on Saturday night.

TJ Faiane and Salesi Rayasi will return from Injury for the Premiership fixture with Tanielu Tele’a moving to the bench.

Eden Loose Forward, Sione Tuipulotu will come into the back of the scrum for Akira Ione who is away with All Black duties. Niko Jones will return to the bench, looking for his third appearance of the season.

The last time the two teams met was in Round 4 of the 2019 season where the fixture ended in 6 minutes of extra time and a 20-20 draw. Head Coach, Alama Ieremia recognises the importance of the game at this point of the season.

“Waikato have been in strong form recently and we are at a point in the season where every win is highly valuable. The team are well aware of the importance of these last few weeks of round-robin, so we need to be on form come Saturday night”.

It will be Club Day at Eden Park on Saturday with each player representing their local Club on the field. Fans are encouraged to come to the game in their Club colours and support their community.

Kick-off is at 7:05pm from Eden Park this Saturday.

Auckland v Waikato

1. James Lay (University)
2. Leni Apisai (Ponsonby)
3. Marcel Renata (University)
4. Scott Scrafton (Grammar TEC)
5. Hamish Dalzell (College Rifles)
6. Adrian Choat (Waitemata)
7. Blake Gibson (Ponsonby)
8. Sione Tuipulotu (Eden)
9. Jonathan Ruru (University)
10. Harry Plummer (Grammar TEC)
11. Salesi Rayasi (Marist)
12. TJ Faiane © (Pakuranga)
13. Tumua Manu (College Rifles)
14. AJ Lam (Grammar TEC)
15. Zarn Sullivan (College Rifles)
16. Soane Vikena (Ponsonby)
17. Jarred Adams (Suburbs)
18. Marco Fepulea’i (Ponsonby)
19. Liam Hallam-Eames (Grammar TEC)
20. Niko Jones (Waitemata)
21. Danny Tusitala (Ponsonby)
22. Simon Hickey (Grammar TEC)
23. Tanielu Tele’a (Marist)