Auckland will do the business, says Pivac

By WYNNE GRAY

Auckland have no complex about beating Canterbury tonight, coach Wayne Pivac insists.

Expecting him to say otherwise would be like believing Xavier Rush will captain the All Blacks on their end-of-year tour.

An examination of the record books, however, indicates that Auckland will have to beat some neurosis if they are to conquer the Cantabs in their NPC semifinal.

The last time Auckland beat the southerners was in 1996. Since then Canterbury have won eight straight NPC matches against Auckland and if they win again tonight it will take them past the record they jointly hold with Wellington, for most consecutive victories by any province against Auckland.

Survivors from that match six years ago are Justin Marshall, Scott Robertson and Mark Hammett for Canterbury, and Carlos Spencer for Auckland, although defensive analyst Graham Henry was also coach then.

When Auckland left yesterday, Spencer was fully fit, according to the medical staff, after he had struggled with a back problem at training.

A strong match from Spencer is fundamental to Auckland's result. Against Wellington last week he kept his composure and tricks to an acceptable level and directed a victory.

It will be much tougher against Canterbury, who have talent throughout their team.

"The guys are really positive. The last couple of weeks have been fantastic for us and the guys have handled the pressure well and are looking forward to this game," Pivac said. "There are no hang-ups about it.

"Compared to other matches against Canterbury, there is a very good feeling in the camp. The guys are determined, they want to go and do the business."

They should have done that on September 20 at Eden Park, where they had a surfeit of possession but lost 18-11, their attack unable to break down the Canterbury defences.

Pivac has made a couple of changes outside the costly departure through injury of loosehead prop Nick White, a loss which could impact severely on Auckland.

Bradley Mika has been picked to give more power to the scrum and supply more confrontation against a physical Canterbury side.

"He gives us extra size in that area against his old mates and he has had two weeks on the sidelines to reflect on what he needs to do," Pivac said.

Auckland have turned to the multi-talented Ben Atiga to play on the wing and act as an extra cover-defender.

Tonight will be all about work-rate for Auckland, about hassling Canterbury into a poor start and then building the pressure.

Canterbury, the defending champions, have not yet played outstandingly in the NPC, but they can, and that will be one complex the visitors will have to ignore.