Lam must take Pat on back

Even in victory, Auckland coach Pat Lam kept the stoicism to the fore last night, refusing to offer more than a job well done response to his side's victorious season.

His pride in his team is obvious. He has done nothing but shower them in positive reinforcement since they walloped North Harbour in the opening game.

He did more of the same last night - lavishing praise on all his warriors, especially skipper Justin Collins, who has set the example from the first day of pre-season.

"I've been very clear on the way we wanted to play. I don't think people realise how much work these guys have put in. I want to make special mention of Justin Collins. He's been the example that others have followed re mental toughness."

But he has been almost John Mitchell-esque when it comes to his own involvement.

His answers become cryptic, screaming of his discomfort at putting himself into the spotlight.

But Lam has come of age in this campaign. A fact highlighted by Auckland's subtle tactical variations in the last two weeks.

Against Harbour in the semifinal they identified that if they committed numbers to the breakdown they could blow Harbour away.

The flat-lying Otago defence was identified as a potential weakness and first-five Tasesa Lavea was tasked with practising his kicking over the top during the week.

"Otago had the best defensive record in the NPC," said Lam. "We noticed there was a flat line and a zone defence. Tasesa knew there was space behind them. He read their defensive pattern very well.

"You don't introduce a kicking game just to have a kicking game. You bring it in depending on what the defence is doing. The leadership group identified that during the week and realised we had to mix it up."

But it hasn't been the tinkering in recent weeks that has impressed. It's been the commitment to the belief that Auckland can run any opposition ragged if they chance their arm. Collins said: "Otago battled away for the first 60 minutes and were superb. But then they started to blow a bit and the game opened up."

Lavea chipped in with his own view: "A lot of people think it is airy-fairy rugby but we work hard. You guys probably can't see that but we know what we are doing."

Probably more people can see it now. Or at least they should.

Neither Lam nor Auckland are the finished article but they're an exciting work in progress.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY