NPC semi-Final #1: Auckland vs Wellington preview

October 12, 2006

The Air New Zealand Cup for the National Provincial Championship goes this weekend.

Auckland host Wellington in the first semi on Friday night NZ time (early Friday morning North America).

Rugby Planet has their preview up.

The line-ups look star-studded. I count twenty current-and-former All Blacks in the names below, and any time you have Tana Umaga and Jerry Collins suiting up together at Eden Park has to be special:

Auckland: 15 Brent Ward, 14 Isa Nacewa, 13 Ben Atiga, 12 Sam Tuitupou (c), 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Tasesa Lavea, 9 Steve Devine / Taniela Moa; 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Andrew Blowers, 5 Kurtis Haiu, 4 Brad Mika, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Saimone Taumoepeau.
Replacements: 16 Derren Witcombe, 17 Nick White, 18 Jay Williams / Joe Tekori, 19 Onosa'i Tololima-Auva'a, 20 Taniela Moa / David Gibson, 21 Isaia Toeava, 22 David Smith.

Wellington: 15 Shannon Paku, 14 Ma'a Nonu, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Tana Umaga (c), 11 Cory Jane, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Ben Herring, 6 Jerry Collins, 5 Luke Andrews, 4 Ross Filipo, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Joe McDonnell.
Replacements: 16 Luke Mahoney, 17 John Schwalger, 18 Jeremy Thrush

Mediazone Rugby Channel has live online broadcast starting at 02:35 AM ET (Friday, October 13, 2006).

Waikato hosts Otago in the other semi-final on Saturday. Preview up shortly...