ITM Cup: Auckland in the right space for next clash

Coach Paul Feeney is liking more of what he is seeing. Photo / Brett Phibbs

It's slowly coming together for Auckland in the ITM Cup.

After a solid, 32-7 dismantling of North Harbour in Saturday's annual grudge match at Eden Park, Auckland lie fourth in the Premiership as they gear up for an away trip to Taranaki on Friday night. They have won four of their past five and played close to 65 minutes of good rugby against North Harbour, a vast improvement on the 40 they showed against Wellington and Bay of Plenty.

Their rush defence, marshalled by assistant coach Xavier Rush, is paying dividends and, despite the difficulties of playing in wet conditions, their attack has more teeth.

Coach Paul Feeney is liking more of what he is seeing, while acknowledging they will need to lift more if they want to be playing any more footy after October 11.

Taranaki have won their past five on the bounce and lie second.

"Look at Taranaki's attacking intent in the last couple of games with [wing] Waisake Naholo. They've got threats all over the park. I'm sure they want a dry track, but so do we. We've got weapons all over the park on our day too," Feeney said.

Auckland's physicality was more evident and the pack rolled up their sleeves, the relentless pounding eventually wearing down North Harbour to enable two late tries for the bonus point. Feeney would have no problems if all his men brought the commitment, energy and skill of openside flanker Sean Polwart, not the first man to shine in that storied jersey number.

"What do you say about Sean Polwart? He'd be, by far, our best player overall in the last six weeks. I'd be shocked if he didn't get picked up [by a Super Rugby franchise]. He's all energy and enthusiasm at the breakdown. He's taken those penalties out of his game, turning over pill, [going] hard on the ball," said Feeney.

The pack is starting to play with more authority, and the crunching carries that typify All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu's game, along with the high work rate and bruising defence of Liaki Moli, bode well for the next few games. Tuipulotu will play the next two, at least, before a possible national call-up.

Auckland gave their best display of 2013 in crushing Taranaki 51-15 in New Plymouth.