Auckland have fought their way to an NPC quarter-final against North Harbour but have paid a heavy price and will be without a slew of key players on Friday evening.
Recently capped All Black midfielder Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has produced a wicked goose step in the NPC clash between Auckland and Waikato.
Currently sitting undefeated at the top of the Odds conference, Waikato will face a litmus test at home this weekend when they take on an inconsistent Auckland side at FMG Stadium Waikato on Friday.
Having already turned out for the Blues and All Blacks this year, former Warriors star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will make his long-awaited debut for Auckland when they take on Bay of Plenty on Sunday.
Simon Hickey celebrated his milestone provincial match with two tries as Auckland responded from last week's deflating defeat to trounce Manawatu 50-12 at a deserted Eden Park.
Auckland have announced their intentions early in the Mitre 10 Cup season, dispatching Otago 38-6 in their season opener in Dunedin.
Head coach Alama Ieremia has named a strong and experienced Auckland team to take on Otago in Dunedin this Saturday afternoon. Out of the 23 that Ieremia has named, 14 were involved in the Super Rugby Aotearoa competition, including six All Blacks.
Auckland have named a powerful 40-man squad for this season's Mitre 10 Cup as they look to clinch their second domestic title in three years.
Beauden Barrett’s signing with the Blues for 2020 has been hailed as a huge coup for the underperforming franchise. However, the Blues will still have to cope without the playmaker for the better part of the season.
Injured All Black Dalton Papalii is to make his return to the field this week after five weeks on the sidelines.