
Sixteen members of the All Blacks Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship squad will represent their Provincial Unions in the Bunnings Warehouse National Provincial Championship this weekend.
Round 5 kicks off on Friday night when North Harbour host Bay of Plenty, who will be bolstered by the return of backs Emoni Narawa and Leroy Carter as well as prop Tevita Mafileo.
On Saturday afternoon, hooker Brodie McAlister will be available for Canterbury when they host Manawatū, while Josh Lord pulls on the Taranaki strip to face Counties Manukau in Pukekohe. Tasman and Otago will welcome back Timoci Tavatavanawai and George Bower respectively for their Saturday night match.
Wellington will have four members of the All Blacks squad at their service on Sunday afternoon – backs Kyle Preston and Ruben Love, and forwards Peter Lakai and Asafo Aumua – while Caleb Clarke is set to return from his high ankle injury to join Auckland when they head to Porirua Park.
Ranfurly Shield holders, Waikato, will have Anton Lienert-Brown, Luke Jacobson, Samipeni Finau and Ollie Norris available for their Shield defence against Southland on Sunday evening.
The list of All Blacks playing for their provincial teams is as follows:
Friday 29 August
North Harbour v Bay of Plenty – North Harbour Stadium, 7.05pm
Bay of Plenty: Emoni Narawa; Leroy Carter, Tevita Mafileo
Saturday 30 August
Canterbury v Manawatū – Rangiora Showground Oval, 2.05pm
Canterbury: Brodie McAlister
Counties Manukau v Taranaki – Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe, 2.05pm
Taranaki: Josh Lord
Tasman v Otago – Trafalgar Park, Nelson, 7.05pm
Tasman: Timoci Tavatavanawai
Otago: George Bower
Sunday 31 August
Wellington v Auckland – Porirua Park, 2.05pm
Wellington: Kyle Preston; Peter Lakai; Ruben Love; Asafo Aumua
Auckland: Caleb Clarke
Waikato v Southland – FMG Stadium Waikato, 4.35pm
Waikato: Anton Lienert-Brown; Luke Jacobson; Samipeni Finau; Ollie Norris.
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