By WYNNE GRAY
Halftime talks may never be the same again for the Auckland rugby team.
Coaching staff are using an assortment of technology for mid-match assessments including video replays to emphasise the strengths or weaknesses of the side's opening 40 minutes.
"What I believe is, if there is technology there you should
use it," said coach Pat Lam.
"What I want to make sure is that it is all about the message being delivered and catering for everyone's learning styles. Some need to see it, some hear it and others do it, and that basically comes from my teaching background really.
"You have to cater for all needs and if you have technology to back it up then you should use it. The old whiteboard is just as good as well."
Rather than talking through things like defending or attacking with a double cut or a loop, Lam said it could be easier to show his players a video.
Use of any footage would depend on how the first half had gone and whether there was time to identify the right pieces of film.
Lam has used the system after training with his NPC squad and also tested it at halftime during the Ranfurly Shield loss to Bay of Plenty.
"You don't have much time so it has to be very specific if we want to show something," he said.
Auckland's changing room at Eden Park was set up to accommodate video replays.
It had not been possible to try the idea at Whangarei last week, nor was it likely he would use the scheme in the unfamiliar surroundings in Hamilton this weekend.
Lam will continue with Angus Macdonald as his skipper for Saturday's match against Waikato when the side is revealed today.
"We have to make some tough decisions in the forwards, the boys have worked very hard and it is always difficult having to leave someone out," Lam said.
Meanwhile, the All Black selectors gathered in Wellington yesterday to start some season debriefs and plan the end-of-year tour to Europe.
That trip has tests against Italy, Wales and France and a match against the Barbarians, but there is still some discussion about adding a couple of midweek matches or selecting an NZA side to tour as well.
