Auckland coach Paul Feeney is not entering the debate about why his three fringe All Blacks have not been released for today's ITM Cup Premiership match against Wellington at Eden Park.
Charlie Faumuina, Steven Luatua and Charlie Piutau are not in the All Blacks' 23 for tonight's test in Napier, but Auckland cannot access them.
It may be that Luatua and Piutau are 24th and 25th men respectively, given there has been a shuffle in the squad after Aaron Cruden's chest injury. But the non-release of prop Faumuina seems strange, especially as All Black coach Steve Hansen publicly questioned his fitness and form on Thursday.
"I just control the controllables. I'm not worried about the politics. That's the way it is and I've picked our team on that basis," said Feeney, whose side sits on a 1-1-1 record in an ITM Cup campaign that has yet to catch fire. He had early notification that the trio would not be available and said the same structure applies to his needs for the Auckland Colts and Auckland Bs early in game week.
Feeney was unwilling to apportion all the blame for the mess in the scrums against the Makos on the broad shoulders of Faumuina, but is keen to see vast improvement in that area against the Lions today.
Auckland have made four changes to the starting line-up, with Lolagi Visinia returning to the wing after injury, Joe Edwards slotting back into the No 6 jersey and Ofa Tu'ungafasi into tighthead prop. Gareth Anscombe is at fullback.
Wellington has a dire 0-3 record but Feeney is adamant his charges will have their minds on the job.
New Zealand Under-20 reps, halfback Leon Fukofuka and midfielder TJ Faiane, could make their full Auckland debuts off the bench.
The Auckland players will walk on to the field with their fathers and/or children to celebrate Father's Day.
Wellington have included New Zealand Sevens rep Belgium Tuatagaloa on the left wing.
The Lions decisively beat Auckland 38-16 at Westpac Stadium in the capital last year.
- By Campbell Burnes of the New Zealand Herald
