Coach: Alama Ieremia
Home ground: Eden Park
2019: Beaten semi finalist
Talking points
Auckland have experience returning to the region in 2020 with Simon Hickey (overseas) and Angus Ta’avao (Taranaki) named in the squad and in line to bring up their 50th Auckland cap.
Ta’avao will link with fellow All Black Ofa Tu’ungafasi up front while Jack Whetton and Scott Scraton are set to combine in the second row and continue their good form from Super Rugby for the Highlanders and Hurricanes respectively.
All Blacks Sevens teammates Salesi Rayasi and Caleb Clarke will light up the Auckland backline again this season, the pair were the team’s leading try scorers in 2019.
The loss of All Black Dalton Papali’I to neighbouring Counties Manukau will be felt by Auckland, but they have Super Rugby experience in Blake Gibson, Hoskin Sotutu and Akira Ioane and up and coming talent with Adrian Choat and Waimana Reidlinger-Kapa.
Three players are second generation Auckland representatives, with Jack Whetton (son of Gary), Hoskins Sotutu (son of Waisake) and Caleb Clarke (son of Eroni) all continuing family tradition.
Incoming players
Simon Hickey, Hamish Dalzell, Tuafa Funaki, Liam Hallam-Eames, Zarn Sullivan, Angus Ta’avao, Sione Tuipulotu and Soane Vikena
Outgoing players
Robbie Abel, Lyndon Dunshea, Kurt Heatherley, Dan Kirkpatrick, Taniela Koroi, Jamie Lane, D’Angelo Leuila, Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Dalton Papali’I, Cam Suafoa
Player to watch
It’s hard to go past Caleb Clarke who has been in career best form in 2020. Off the back of an impressive campaign with the All Blacks Sevens, Clarke made every post a winner in Blues colours with speculation it will be only time until a national call up.
Auckland squad
Jarred Adams, Leni Apisai, Adrian Choat, Caleb Clarke, Hamish Dalzell, TJ Faiane, Marco Fepulai, Taufa Funaki, Blake Gibson, Liam Hallam-Eames, Simon Hickey, Alex Hodgman, Akira Ioane, Rieko Ioane, AJ Lam, James Lay, Tumua Manu, Harry Plummer, Salesi Rayasi, Waimana Reidlinger-Kapa, Marcel Renata, Jonathan Ruru, Scott Scrafton, Mike Sosene-Feagai, Hoskins Sotutu, Zarn Sullivan, Angus Ta’avao, Tanielu Tele’a, Jordan Trainor, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sione Tuipulotu, Danny Tusitala, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Soana Vikena, Jack Whetton
Auckland draw