Auckland coach Lam does Otago a favour

Otago No 8 Grant Webb believes Auckland rugby coach Pat Lam may have inadvertently done Otago a favour by highlighting the contentious issue of the tackle-ball law.

Radio talkback lines have run hot this week following Lam's criticism of Canterbury's tactics, particularly Richie McCaw's game at the breakdown, after Canterbury beat Auckland 27-12 last Saturday.

Lam said McCaw was infringing at most rucks, making it impossible for the ball to be cleared quickly, and that McCaw was treated leniently by referees.

"The loose-forward battle is always a key area and it's quite good for us that all this talk has come out now," Webb said yesterday.

"It's got to be helpful for us that people have been made aware of it. It's a more public issue now and hopefully we get an advantage out of it.

"Hopefully the ref will keep a close eye on what Richie is doing."

Otago travel to play Canterbury in the first NPC division one semifinal on Friday night. Auckland will host North Harbour in the other on Saturday.

Webb felt the breakdown was refereed reasonably well, and the law -- while it confused many -- simply demanded players stay on their feet.

He believed the direct approach was best if an opponent was infringing at the breakdown.

"Against us, he (McCaw) was off his feet, but we gave him a bit of treatment and he didn't do it again for a while.

"Richie plays to the letter of the law, and he gets away with things if the referees don't ping him straight away.

"The same thing happened when we played Waikato. Marty Holah really got in on our ball and we didn't target him as well as we should have.

"Richie's a similar player, and he can be hard to get off the ball."

Webb is relishing his head-to-head battle with Canterbury No 8 Mose Tuiali'i, who must be in contention for the Grand Slam tour after his storming performance against Auckland.

Tuiali'i was a superb form linking, and that was something Webb wanted to bring into his own game.

"I'm trying to get more involved with the backs, giving them plenty of room.

"I think that goes for our whole loose trio. We want to be hard workers, but I think we have to add a little bit more this weekend. We want to show our skills and try a few things.

"I've probably been a bit of a grunter, just taking the ball up. I want to get the offloads going and create a bit of play."

Webb said there were ripples of excitement running through the Otago squad.

Otago are not expected to make any changes from last week when they name their team tomorrow.

Canterbury assistant coach Rob Penney said Auckland's outburst was aimed at deflecting their inability to score tries.

- NZPA