Injuries have forced Auckland's rugby coach Shane Howarth to start the All Blacks utility back Isaia Toeava at first-five in Saturday night's Ranfurly Shield defence against Wellington and to bracket Daniel Braid and Onosa'i Auva'a at openside flanker.
Toeava comes in for Lachie Munro, who dislocated a shoulder in last week's win over Bay of Plenty.
Howarth says he wants to give Braid as long as possible to see if he can recover from the ankle injury he suffered in Rotorua.
Howarth says they're quite well covered at seven, with Auva'a scoring two tries after he replaced Braid.
And Watisoni Lotawa replaces the injured right-wing Joe Rokocoko while Nick White returns to the front row.
