Auckland head to Christchurch for a date with old rivals Canterbury in a game with two different goals for each team.

Auckland have secured themselves a home Semi-Final but will look to state their claim at the top of the table in the last round-robin game of the Mitre 10 Cup season.

Canterbury will be fighting for their life in the Premiership Division with them and Wellington on the bottom of the Premiership table in relegation position.

Head Coach, Alama Ieremia welcomes back some experience to the team for Sunday’s fixture with Scott Scrafton, Blake Gibson and Tumua Manu all being named in the traveling 23 for the game in Christchurch.

Ponsonby Loose Forward, Presley Tufuga will move to Number 8 for his third cap in the Blue and White Hoops.

Ponsonby Hooker, Joe Royal will be in line for his first appearance for Auckland when he looks to come off the bench on Sunday.

Angus Ta’avao and Blake Gibson will Co-Captain the team against Canterbury.

Auckland and Canterbury last met in Week 5 of the 2019 Mitre 10 Cup where Canterbury emerged victorious 32-22 at Eden Park.

Historically, the rivalry between Auckland and Canterbury is one of the richest in NPC history with 30 Premiership wins shared between the Unions. Although the 2020 fixture has different stakes for each team, Head Coach, Ieremia is not taking anything for granted.

“Although Canterbury have not had some results go their way this season, they are still 14-time Champions for a reason and their result against Tasman last week was a big statement.”

Ieremia recognizes the importance of the last round-robin game of the season.

“It’s an important game for us in terms of momentum and that is why we need to be up for Sunday.”

Kick-off is at 4:35pm from Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch.

Auckland v Canterbury

1. Jarred Adams (Suburbs)
2. Mike Sosene-Feagai (Marist)
3. Angus Ta’avao (Eden)
4. Scott Scrafton (Grammar TEC)
5. Hamish Dalzell (College Rifles)
6. Terell Peita (Ponsonby)
7. Blake Gibson (Ponsonby)
8. Presley Tufuga (Ponsonby)
9. Jonathan Ruru (University)
10. Harry Plummer (Grammar TEC)
11. Salesi Rayasi (Marist)
12. Tanielu Tele’a (Marist)
13. Tumua Manu (College Rifles)
14. Joel Cobb (Ponsonby)
15. Zarn Sullivan (College Rifles)
16. Joe Royal (Ponsonby)(DEBUT)
17. James Lay (University)
18. Marco Fepulea’i (Ponsonby)
19. Liam Hallam-Eames (Grammar TEC)
20. Niko Jones (Waitemata)
21. Taufa Funaki (Marist)
22. Simon Hickey (Grammar TEC)
23. William Talataina-Mu (Ponsonby)