The availability of two All Blacks would normally be a big talking point in a Tasman Mako team naming.
However the long-awaited comeback of the ultimate utility Leicester Fainga’anuku, who can play in the backs or forwards, has overshadowed the return of All Blacks midweek players Timoci Tavatavanwai and Noah Hotham who had limited game time in South Africa.
Leicester broke his lower leg and also suffered a high ankle sprain in June, playing for the Crusaders.
The 26-year-old missed the first eight rounds of the NPC but realistically if available, would have been with the All Blacks in any case.
Leicester has been named in the reserves for Tasman’s must-win match against ninth-placed Bay of Plenty at Trafalgar Park and is expected to sub on in the second half.
His versatility provides multiple options but the 12-test international looks set to be loose forward cover.
Timoci comes in at second five with David Havili dropping to the bench.
Noah starts at halfback with Mitchell Drummond moving to the reserves.
In the forwards, Lopeti Faifua switches from the side of the scrum to lock, Rory Scott returns on the openside flank and Monu Moli starts at prop ahead of Tom Heywood.
The Mako has slumped to eighth on the NPC table after four wins and four losses, so realistically the best it can hope for is a play-off match on the road.
Lose for the third match in a row against the Steamers, which upset Hawke’s Bay last weekend, and the quarterfinals could be out of reach.
The team is: 1-Monu Moli, 2-Eli Oudenryn, 3-Ryan Coxon, 4- Lopeti Faifua, 5-Antonio Shalfoon, 6-Johnny Lee©, 7-Rory Scott, 8-Shannon Frizell, 9-Noah Hotham, 10-William Havili, 11-Macca Springer, 12-Timoci Tavatavanawai, 13-Cooper Roberts, 14- Kyren Taumoefolau, 15-Maloni Kunawave.
Reserves: 16-Richie Asiata, 17-Tom Heywood, 19-Sione Mafi, 19-Hunter Leppien, 20- Leicester Fainga’anuku, 21- Mitchell Drummond, 22-David Havili, 23 - Nic Sauira.
Kick-off is at 7.10pm tomorrow night at Trafalgar Park.
