Waikato duo Stephen Donald and Liam Messam have predictably lost the race against time to be fit for Sunday's Air NZ Cup rugby quarterfinal against bogey team Hawke's Bay.

However, the 2006 provincial champions, seeking to arrest a three-game losing streak in Napier, have the luxury of strengthening their back three with the inclusion of All Blacks fullback Mils Muliaina.

It will be the former Aucklander's first provincial cap since Waikato won the inaugural Air NZ Cup final two years ago.

He replaces Sosene Anesi, who switches to the right wing while Tim Mikkelson drops to the bench.

Messam has been nursing a hamstring strain for several weeks and will not be risked despite the threat he poses in open play.

Waikato coach Tony Hanks forecast earlier in the week that his captain would be rested, saying he did not want to hamper Messam's chances of making the All Blacks' upcoming Bledisloe Cup test in Hong Kong and subsequent tour of Great Britain and Ireland.

Messam has been replaced on the blindside flank by Faifili Levave while Tom Harding and Sione Lauaki complete an impressive loose trio.

Donald, the All Blacks' back-up first five-eighth, damaged ribs during last weekend's 45-41 win over Taranaki -- his first appearance for the province this season.

Regular pivot Callum Bruce returns to run a backline brimming with attacking potency in the form of Richard Kahui, Anesi and Sitiveni Sivivatu -- whose last-minute try against Taranaki last Thursday ensured Waikato progressed to the sudden-death phase.

That narrow victory was Waikato's fourth in six matches and continued a resurgence needed after t hey lost to Northland, Tasman, North Harbour and drew with Manawatu in the first four rounds of the regular season.

"We're looking forward to this match and for us it is another knockout game of rugby," Hanks said.

"We know we're playing a Hawke's Bay team that is full of confidence, but our confidence has also grown over the past month.

"Finally we can put those first four games of the season to bed and forget about them."

Hawke's Bay qualified third for the play-offs after fashioning a seven-win, three-loss record that included a 24-15 defeat of Waikato in round eight.

The teams met at the same stage last season, where Hawke's Bay progressed to the semifinals following a 38-35 triumph.

New Zealand Cup quarter-final teams:

Canterbury v Tasman (Friday October 10, 19.35 local)

Canterbury: Scott Hamilton, Paul Williams, Casey Laulala, Tim Bateman, James Paterson, Colin Slade, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read (captain), George Whitelock, Hayden Hopgood, Isaac Ross, Michael Paterson, Greg Somerville, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett.

Replacements: Ti'i Paulo, Owen Franks, James Broadhurst, Richie McCaw, Tyson Keats, Hamish Gard, Adam Whitelock.

Tasman: Robbie Malneek, Blair Cook, Kade Poki, Andrew Goodman, Afeleke Pelenise, Miah Nikora, Kahn Fotuali'i, Mark Bright, Jonathan Poff, Alex Ainley, Brad Thorn, Will Crutchley, Tristan Moran, Dan Perrin, Ben May.

Replacement: Quentin MacDonald, Sakaria Taulafo, Joe Wheeler, Dan Hyatt, Lualua Vailoaloa, James Marshall, Mike Pehi.

Wellington v Taranaki (Saturday October 11, 17.05 local)

Wellington: Cory Jane, Buxton Popoali'i, Tamati Ellison, Ma'a Nonu, Hosea Gear, Piri Weepu (captain), Alby Matthewson, Scott Fuglistaller, Chris Masoe, Jeremy Thrush, Ross Filipo, Tim Fairbrother, Dane Coles, John Schwalger.

Replacements: Ged Robinson, Jacob Ellison, Api Naikatini, Rodney So'oialo, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Michael Hobbs, Tane Tu'ipulotu.

Taranaki: Jack Cameron, Paul Perez, Nathan Hohaia, Jayden Hayward, Shayne Austin, Willie Ripia, Brett Goodin, Taiasina Tuifua, Scott Waldrom, Chris Walker, Craig Clarke, Jason Eaton, Shane Cleaver, Andrew Hore, Tony Penn (captain).

Replacements: Laurence Corlett, Hamish Mitchell, Leon Power, Nemia Soqeta, Brendan Haami, Isaia Tuifua, Corey Niwa.

Bay of Plenty v Southland (Saturday October 11, 19.35 local)

Bay of Plenty: Zar Lawrence, Lance MacDonald, Cory Aporo, Nigel Hunt, Jason Hona, Mike Delany, Ruki Tipuna, Colin Bourke, Tanerau Latimer, Solomon King, Culum Retallick, John Moore, John McGougan, John Pareanga, Joe Savage.

Replacements: Dean Elmiger, Matt Wallace, Josh Katene, Aiden Kuka, Luke Braid, Josh Hall, Toby Arnold.

Southland: Robbie Robinson, Kendrick Lynn, Matt Saunders, Jason Kawau, Pehi Te Whare, Blair Stewart, Jimmy Cowan, David Hall, Tim Boys, Dion Bates, Hoani Macdonald, Josh Bekhuis, Chris King, Jason Rutledge, Jamie Mackintosh (captain).

Replacements: Matt Holloway, Fai Mika, Daniel Ramsay, John Hardie/ Joe Tuineau, Scott Cowan, Mark Wells, Willie Rickards.

Hawke's Bay v Waikato (Sunday October 12, 14.35 local)

Hawke's Bay: Israel Dagg, Jason Kupa, Jason Shoemark, Sam Giddens, Zac Guildford, Matt Berquist, Danny Lee (captain), George Naoupu, Karl Lowe, Michael Johnson, Bryn Evans, Johan Snyman, Anthony Perenise, Hikawera Elliott, Faka'anaua Taumalolo.

Replacements: Ash Dixon, Josh Keys, Matt Egan, Pama Petia, Chris Eaton, Daniel Waenga, Aayden Clarke.

Waikato: Mils Muliaina, Sosene Anesi, Richard Kahui, Jackson Willison, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Callum Bruce, David Bason, Sione Lauaki, Tom Harding, Faifili Levave, Romana Graham, Toby Lynn (captain), Aled de Malmanche, Ole Avei, Hikairo Forbes.

Replacements: Vern Kamo, Toby Smith, Kent Fife, Matt Blain, Malcolm Barnes, Dwayne Sweeney, Tim Mikkelson.