After their narrow loss to an in-form Mounties last week, the Auckland Vulcans travel to Wollongong to face the Illawarra Cutters who will be desperate to avoid their third straight loss at home.

While it is still too early in the season to be pushing the panic button, the Vulcans will be anxious to get their season back on track after a run of patchy performances which has them at 10th place on the ladder. The Cutters have yet to celebrate a victory at Win Stadium this season and with the return of try scoring machine Glen ‘fish’ Fisiiahi the Auckland side will not be short of confidence to get the job done.

The tackle busting Konrad Hurrell will again line up in the centres with Rusty Bristow, both showing good form at Mount Smart last week. Coming into the starting side are Willie Peace, who returns to his position on the wing, and Daniel Palavi who will cover for the absent Matagi. Niuvao Taka makes his highly anticipated return with a spot on the interchange bench.

The Cutters will be without their captain Ray Cashmere, who has been released to play for the injury hit Wests Tigers, and will be relying on the experienced Jeremy Smith and Josh Miller to guide the ship.

Former Auckland Vulcans and Junior Warriors representative Leeson Ah Mau will feature for the Dragon’s feeder club alongside ex-Warriors pocket rocket Denan Kemp.

Auckland Vulcans

1.Glen Fisiiahi
2.Dylan Collier
3.Rusty Bristow
17.Konrad Hurrell
5.Willie Peace
6.Willie Stowers
7.Pita Godinet
8.Herman Retzlaff
9.Darin Kingi
10.Daniel Palavi
11.Agnatius Paasi
12.Sam Lousi
13.Tevita Latu

15.Niuvao Taka
16.Ivan Penehe
18.Steve Waetford
19.Tulson Caird
20. Murray Iti

Coach:Ricky Henry

Illawarra Cutters

1.Bronx Goodwin
2.Josh Goulton
3.Chris Astill
4.Lulia Lulia
5.Denan Kemp
6.Cameron Bruest
7.Jeremy Smith
8.Leeson Ah Mau
9.Damien Cook
10.Jack Stockwell
11.David Gower
12.Jake Marketo
13.Josh Miller

14.Mark Asquith
15.Atelea Vea
16.Jacob Ling
18.Andrew Fox
20.Chris Marlborough

Coach:Paul McGregor