NPC Final: Auckland vs. Wellington

There's another rugby championship final going this weekend: The National Provincial Championship (NPC) Air New Zealand Cup: Auckland vs. Wellington. There's a better-than-strong chance it'll be a more exciting game than the World Cup final. A small number of All Blacks - who'd undoubtedly rather be playing in Paris than Auckland - make the last-minute reserve benches for both sides.

AUCKLAND: 1. Saimone Taumoepeau, 2. Tom McCartney, 3. John Afoa, 4. Kurtis Haiu, 5. Jay Williams, 6. Jerome Kaino, 7. Daniel Braid, 8. Brad Mika, 9. Taniela Moa, 10. Isa Nacewa, 11. Benson Stanley, 12. Sam Tuitupou (captain), 13. Ben Atiga, 14. David Smith, 15. Brent Ward. RESERVES: 16. Keven Mealamu, 17. Nick White, 18. Troy Flavell, 19. Angus Macdonald, 20. Grayson Hart, 21. Lachie Munro, 22. Isaia Toeava.

WELLINGTON: 1. Jacob Ellison, 2. Luke Mahoney, 3. John Schwalger, 4. Jeremy Thrush, 5. Bernie Upton, 6. Api Naikatini, 7. Tom Harding, 8. Thomas Waldrom, 9. Piri Weepu (captain), 10. Jimmy Gopperth, 11. Shannon Paku, 12. Ma'a Nonu, 13. Tane Tu'ipulotu, 14. Hosea Gear, 15. Cory Jane. RESERVES: 16. Dane Coles, 17. Anthony Perenise, 18. Fafili Levave, 19. Rodney So'oialo, 20. Alex Tulou, 21. Alby Mathewson, 22. Conrad Smith.

Date: Saturday, 20 October
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 19:35 (08:35 BST, 07:35 GMT) 02:00 am ET (Toronto, New York)
Referee: Chris Pollock
Touch judges: Keith Brown, Vinny Munro
Television match official: Jonathon White
Assessor: Glenn Wahlstrom, Keith Lawrence

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