Auckland, Aug 6 NZPA - There was nowhere to run in South Africa, and for some All Blacks there will be no place to hide this weekend as they seek to rebuild their reputations in the provincial rugby arena.

Serving All Blacks have rarely been sighted in the Air NZ Cup since its inception in 2006 but, after a fruitless Tri-Nations excursion to Bloemfontein and Durban, members of Graham Henry's struggling squad have been drip-fed back to their provinces to prepare for the second Bledisloe Cup test in Sydney on August 22.

Had the defence of their Tri-Nations crown started successfully the All Blacks might have earned some rest and recuperation, but with their skill levels and execution so inept against the world champions, most have, or will, do penance.

Waikato are among the main beneficiaries as Brendon Leonard and Aled de Malmanche slot straight back into the starting line-up against Manawatu in Hamilton on Saturday afternoon.

Leonard's uninspiring return from a long-term knee injury against Italy, and then the first Springboks test, suggests he needs to log as much game time as possible.

For de Malmanche, Keven Mealamu's season-ending chest injury and Andrew Hore's indifferent throwing means he can expect more than the four minutes of international action he has seen off the bench so far when the Tri-Nations resumes.

Waikato also welcome bullocking No 8 Sione Lauaki back to a pack that struggled to assert itself in Invercargill last weekend. His physical presence might also temper Manawatu's expectations despite their rousing fightback against Counties-Manukau in round one.

Understandably Auckland have pressed prop John Afoa into action, in light of their diabolical 34-point loss at Hawke's Bay last weekend.

Mark Anscombe's squad were put through the wringer again at Monday's training as the new head coach demanded an immediate improvement in attitude, particularly in defence and at the breakdown.

Auckland's woes in Napier put defending champions Canterbury's opening round blip at North Harbour into perspective ahead of one of two traditional rivalries scheduled for round two.

Canterbury does not yet have any current All Blacks at their disposal though in Daniel Carter they have one well advanced on the comeback trail after an encouraging return to first class rugby during the 19-22 loss at Albany.

Canterbury coach Rob Penney has entrusted the players responsible for a rusty first-up performance to atone at Eden Park on Saturday night -- hamstrung No 8 Nasi Manu is the only defection, replaced by debutant Mike Coman.

Otago are also in regroup mode for their southern derby with Southland at Carisbrook tomorrow night, though at least they are well versed at handling the disappointing aftermath of a failed Ranfurly Shield challenge.

Southland, meanwhile, are buoyed by an efficient 10-point victory over Waikato, an injury-free exercise that enables co-coaches Simon Culhane and David Henderson to field the first unchanged Stags line-up in five years.

Wellington head coach Jamie Joseph also had the option to change his side that retained the Log o' Wood for Saturday's tough assignment in Napier but opted against including All Blacks utility Cory Jane.

Joseph felt too many changes could disrupt his developing side's rhythm though Tamati Ellison, not used in South Africa, will feature against the competition front-runners.

Craig Dowd and Jeff Wilson decided Luke McAlister's return to provincial rugby will be managed off the bench after they kept faith in inside backs Michael Harris and Andrew Mailei who served the side so well in the kick fest against Canterbury.

Also-rans last season, Harbour are ideally placed to maintain their unbeaten record tomorrow night against a Tasman side that faded badly against Taranaki.

While Dowd and Wilson enjoyed a dream start to their regime, Bay of Plenty's Greg Smith remains in exile as his employment contract is under review.

The coaching crisis was set aside when Bay of Plenty recovered from an 11-point deficit to overhaul Northland last Friday.

Richie McCaw's back-up, Tanerau Latimer, should give Counties Manukau more headaches in Pukekohe on Sunday, given he is playing in tandem with another specialist openside, Luke Braid.

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