Rugby: Auckland to be schooled on Shield values

Auckland coach Mark Anscombe. Photo / Getty Images

The Ranfurly Shield means different things to different people - never more evident than in the Auckland rugby side who challenge Wellington on Saturday.

Coach Mark Anscombe holds the Log of Wood dear to his heart, having played for it a couple of times and attended some famous clashes in his youth.

He's not so sure about the modern player, particularly those emerging now through a money-driven system which doesn't necessarily promote history.

"I couldn't really tell how big it (the Shield) is to some of my guys," he said.

"Some don't have an understanding of the heritage of sport and what's been before them.

"It's very much a case that they look at it now from their time in rugby and what they want out of sport."

Anscombe plans to provide some Shield education to his young troops before the Wellington Stadium clash which shapes as a highlight of the Air NZ Cup fourth round.

It was obvious to him that Wellington placed great store on the Shield since snatching it off Auckland nearly a year ago with a 27-0 rout.

Only about a third of the players from that humiliation at Eden Park are back this weekend. Last year's Northland mentor Anscombe was also not involved.

"Guys forget things conveniently when it suits but there's still a core of them who were on the receiving end of a hiding and that should hurt and they should reflect on that," Anscombe said.

"The history of Auckland-Wellington goes back to the first Shield challenge and our track record against them in recent years hasn't been good so there's plenty to play for."

Anscombe was pleased with Auckland's progress since their opening round loss to Hawke's Bay, having pushed Canterbury close before thumping Northland 32-13 last weekend.

All Blacks such as Joe Rokocoko, Jerome Kaino and John Afoa made a big difference at Kerikeri but Anscombe wasn't sweating that they are missing on national duty.

"I saw guys who aren't All Blacks playing well as well against Northland," Anscombe said.

"We created a lot of opportunities as a team. Our defence was good, our set piece was very good and those are areas we've been putting emphasis on.

"Now these guys have to stand on our own two feet."

Anscombe believed Wellington will be "smarting" from their surprise loss to leaders Bay of Plenty last weekend.

Nobody will be smarting ahead of their sixth defence more than Wellington prop Neemia Tialata, who was axed from the All Blacks squad to travel to Sydney.

Tialata expressed surprise to learn of his shortcomings from the All Blacks coaching staff through the media rather than in person.

In other matches this weekend, last year's two beaten semifinalists square off when Southland host Hawke's Bay in Invercargill.

Both teams will want to get their campaigns back on track after stuttering last week - Southland losing to Manawatu and Hawke's Bay drawing with Taranaki.

Second plays third when Canterbury play Tasman in Christchurch, the hosts having to readjust again to life without playmaker Daniel Carter. The Crusaders derby isn't the only inter-franchise clash, with competition leaders Bay of Plenty at home to Waikato on Saturday in a Chiefs battle, while Blues partners North Harbour and Northland lock horns in Albany.

The round which kicks off when Manawatu host Otago in Palmerston North tonight finishes when Taranaki travel to Pukekohe to face winless Counties-Manukau.

- NZPA