Auckland dares all to keep attacking

Auckland's Jerome Kaino takes on Otago's Carl Hayman and Neil Brew in Dunedin. Picture / Mark Mitchell

Auckland 31 Otago 16

So far Auckland's greatest NPC battle has been with themselves.

They are intent on attack. They will not leave any game wondering if they could have scored more tries, and that came through again in their victory against Otago on Saturday.

Auckland are giving the ball air. They will chip kick from their own goal line, and no matter their field position they will try to make any turnover pay. Their slant is about all-out attack.

It is an engaging approach, though not compelling enough to attract more than 5000 spectators to Carisbrook in another dismal attendance, which is disconcerting Otago rugby administrators. It is not only an NPC problem, as 7000 tickets for the 30,000 capacity ground were still unsold yesterday for Saturday's critical Tri-Nations international.

Auckland's adventure is designed to capitalise on their backline flair and unsettle the opposition, though coach Pat Lam conceded it can give his staff some hairy moments as well.

His side raced to a 17-0 margin at better than a point a minute through tries from Sam Tuitupou's charge down and Doug Howlett bouncing off several lame tackles.

Otago recovered, and with 11 minutes left, Auckland were only a point ahead before they pulled away with two converted tries from an intercept and a turnover.

There was some brilliant stuff, some crass moments and some rugged endeavour as Auckland had to withstand the heat of a strong Otago scrum and improved defence. Lam was not about to criticise.

"The pleasing thing for me was we encouraged the boys to make decisions out there and to back themselves and not to make decisions on the fact that we might make a mistake," he said. "Though it is quite high risk, the thing is the boys make a call and they all back it."

Lam suggested Auckland were trying to play what was in front of them even though it appeared they were on fast forward most times. The advantage, said Lam, was that the team would discover from their mistakes and temper their decisions.

"The attitude and ethic were right up there but execution - our skill level dropped down a bit from last week. But there has to be credit too to the way Otago played," he said.

Captain Justin Collins admitted his side found it difficult to tone down their attacking intentions and they had trouble controlling their ball-playing instincts.

"Maybe there is a good lesson to learn from this, that we just have to be a bit more sensible," he said.

"Maybe we have to rein ourselves in, maybe not. It is dangerous, but it can pay off as well. It has in the last two weeks, but teams will look at that as well so we may have to look at other options."

Looking at some of his choices was All Black coach Graham Henry. He saw opposing five-eighths Tasesa Lavea and Nick Evans offer glimpses of their gifts.

Carl Hayman touched up the Auckland scrum. James Ryan looked in need of the game, and Joe Rokocoko and Doug Howlett were busy. Auckland halfback Steve Devine was a late withdrawal because of the flu. Taniela Moa started, and eight minutes from time, veteran Ofisa Tonu'u came on as a substitute when Auckland had the bonus point win secured.

After a slow start, No 8 Jerome Kaino impressed for Auckland. Derren Witcombe, John Afoa and Kurtis Haiu were busy while the backline crackled with ideas but struggled to finish.

Everything fullback Brent Ward does is neat and effective and his goalkicking is sound. His intrusion to score the late bonus point try was an example of the quality timing he brings to the side.

Otago got plenty from halfback Chris Smylie and skipper Craig Newby and Grant Webb, Seilala Mapusuia, Neil Brew and Nick Reily are their ball-carrying weapons.

Coach Wayne Graham said errors cost his side any chance of victory.

"What you find in rugby now is the majority of tries are coming from turnovers or counter-attacks," he said. "We expected Auckland to play the way they did, but we did well to shut them down for a great deal of the game.

"A lack of composure at key times hurt us. If we had kept clear heads and the heat on we would have won the game."