Rugby: Anscombe's mental challenge

Auckland halfback Alby Mathewson skipped the Otago game in an effort to keep him fresh. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Put Auckland's early national premiership woes down to a sloppy mental side of the game rather than anything to do with their playing ability, according to coach Mark Anscombe.

With his team 0-from-2 going into an important clash against Wellington in the capital tonight, Anscombe knows things need to change fast if Auckland are to put themselves into a challenging position for the ITM Cup final - this season there's no semifinals - on September 3.

By his reckoning, Auckland have played decent rugby for about 130 out of 160 minutes of their games against Canterbury and Otago.

Two pockets, 20 minutes against Canterbury and 10 against Otago, when they were down to 14 men last Wednesday night and scored three tries, cost Auckland dearly.

"It's mental, because we know they've got the skills," Anscombe said yesterday.

"As a team we do a lot of work on that. Against Otago, a guy gets sin-binned [Otago prop Halani Aulika], we are 18-12 up and they score 20 points.

"They didn't get better because they lost a player. We just relaxed, and it's like a lot of sports: if you ease off an opponent, they get a sniff and get enthusiastic, and energy levels change to the other team.

"In both games, we've stopped, and come back, but the damage has been done."

Anscombe's combination to face Wellington has eight changes from the Otago game.

Just three players - hard-working lock Josh Townsend, utility back Hadleigh Parkes and first five-eighths Gareth Anscombe - have played all 160 minutes so far, and are starting tonight.

Anscombe had a policy of rotating his squad through the first two games. Tonight will go a long way to fixing his mind on his strongest XV.

However, he would not have expected to have just two bonus points for their troubles so far.

It will be Auckland's third game in eight days. Training has obviously been limited this week by the schedule.

Wellington have had six days off since beating Manawatu in their opening game, so should be the fresher of the two.

Anscombe hopes his rotation of certain players - former All Black halfback Alby Mathewson, who skipped the Otago game, is a prime case - diminishes that concern.

Other teams will have their crunch period; however if Auckland lose tonight, and Canterbury and Bay of Plenty both win today, which is conceivable, they will be spotting those teams, and Wellington at least five points. With such a congested programme, catching up may prove difficult.

Fullback Brent Ward returns from a haematoma; wing Francis Saili is back after tearing a blood vessel in his left hand, both against Canterbury; while hard-running No 8 Peter Saili has his first start, after having a break for a heart arrhythmia.

Young midfield back Winston Stanley is not in the 23 and has signed a deal to join the Western Force in the Super 15. Anscombe is pleased for him.

"He's off contract at the Blues. He's had a talk to Pat [Blues coach Lam] and maybe his opportunities here are limited.

"He's a good boy who works hard at his game, he's been around a few years now so deserves an opportunity to play regularly at that level."

North Harbour will be aiming to get some momentum in their championship campaign, after beating Tasman in mid-week, when they visit Bay of Plenty in a crossover championship-premiership game today.

Win at Mt Maunganui and they will go top of the ladder, at least until Otago visit Hawkes Bay tomorrow.

Wellington v Auckland
Westpac Stadium, 7.35 tonight

Apoua Stewart
Jason Woodward
Alapati Leiua
Michael Hobbs
Julian Savea
Lima Sopoaga
TJ Perenara
Victor Vito
Scott Fuglistaller
Faifili Levave
Jeremy Thrush (c)
Mark Reddish
Neemia Tialata
Dane Coles
Jacob Ellison

Reserves: Motu Matu'u, Arden David-Perrot, Api Naikatini, Brad Shields, Frae Wilson, Michael Lealava'a, Lote Raikabula, Whetu Henry

Brent Ward
Joe Rokocoko
Hadleigh Parkes
Francis Saili
Charles Piutau
Gareth Anscombe
Alby Mathewson
Peter Saili
Sean Polwart
Nathan Hughes
Josh Townsend
Steven Luatua
Charlie Faumuina
Tom McCartney (c)
Tevita Mailau

Reserves: Ash Dixon, Pauliasi Manu, Richard Haddon, Onosai Auva'a, Auvasa Faleali'i, Piers Francis, George Moala, Angus Ta'avao.

BOP v Nth Harbour
Mt Maunganui, 5.35pm today

Toby Arnold
Lelia Masaga
Phil Burleigh
Jason Hona
Ben Smith
Chris Noakes
Taniela Moa
Colin Bourke (c)
Sam Cane
Luke Braid
Culum Retallick
Leon Power
Josh Hohneck
John Pareanga
Bronson Murray

Reserves: Dan Perrin, Tristan Moran, Greg Pleasants-Tate, Leighton Price, Carl Axtens, Jamie Nutbrown, Dan Waenga, Lance MacDonald.

Willie Walker
Ken Pisi
Nafi Tuitavake
Luke McAlister
David Raikuna
Ben Botica
Chris Smylie (c)
Mat Luamanu
Scott Uren
Solomon King
Filo Paulo
James King
Ben Afeaki
James Parsons
James Afoa

Reserves: North Harbour: Manu Keiataua, Taione Vea, Chris Smith, Brent Wilson, Brenton Helleur, Brendon Watt, Codey Rei, Michael Reid.