Rugby: Braid plots to beat the Wellington bogey

Daniel Braid says Auckland need to get off to a good start. Photo / Greg Bowker

Call it the Curse of the Minnow, but Auckland are preparing for a Wellington backlash when they meet this evening.

Just as they had the misfortune to meet a rampant Canterbury off the back of their shock loss to Tasman in week four, they face Wellington who were embarrassed by Manawatu in Palmerston North last week.

"If you look at the whole competition this year, some teams have been poor one week and the next they've come out and put in a great performance, so we are aware of how Wellington will be feeling this weekend.

"We've got to make sure that we've prepared well and we get off to a good start," said captain Daniel Braid.

Wellington have been a bogey team for Auckland of late, winning four of the past five encounters. As is Wellington's wont, the one game they failed in was the 2007 final.

Neither team can claim to have hit many high notes in the ITM Cup this year, though Auckland's workmanlike victory over a strong Taranaki side should be a pointer to better things.

"Our defence has been pretty good," Braid said. "Apart from that Canterbury game we've been restricting sides to mostly one try a game, so that part of things has been very pleasing. But we've just got to get some confidence in our attacking game. We've turned over the most amount of possession in the competition so once we sort that side of things out I think we'll be very dangerous."

Coach Mark Anscombe has made three changes to the starting line-up from the team that won last week. Ash Dixon replaces Tom McCartney at hooker while Adam Kleeberger and Winston Stanley make their first starts of the season.

In today's early kickoff, Waikato will be expecting their third win on the bounce when they meet strugglers Hawkes Bay at Napier. McLean Park has not been a happy hunting ground for Waikato in recent years but it has been a long time since they met a Magpie side at such low ebb.

Canterbury were yesterday dealt a blow before they travelled to Whangarei to meet Northland.

Prop Wyatt Crockett was ruled out after a training ground mishap. Crockett bruised a calf after colliding with a teammate during training on Thursday and didn't take part in yesterday's captain's run.

Andrew Olorenshaw will take his place at loosehead, with Rodney Ah You coming on to the reserves bench as cover.

Northland will be seeking consistency after last week's fine win against Southland. In the Sunday matches, Tasman play wooden-spoon candidates Otago in Nelson, while Counties Manukau travel to New Plymouth to take on Taranaki.

With both teams going in with a 4-2 record and tough matches to follow next week the result will be pivotal to their semifinal aspirations.

* Otago flanker Adam Thomson has re-signed with the Highlanders for the 2011 Super 15.

There had been rumours that the 17-test All Black was looking at the Crusaders, but Highlanders' coach Jamie Joseph got the news he wanted.

Thomson said: "This was one of the most significant decisions of my career and one that was not taken lightly. It was important for me to consider all of my options ... I am excited about the direction Jamie is taking the team."

AUCKLAND v WELLINGTON
Eden Park, 6.35 tonight

AUCKLAND
Brent Ward
Atieli Pakalani
Winston Stanley
Jamie Helleur
Bryce Heem
Matt Berquist
Toby Morland
Chris Lowrey
Daniel Braid (c)
Adam Kleeberger
A Van der Heijden
Liaki Moli
Charlie Faumuina
Ash Dixon
Tevita Mailau
Reserves: Tom McCartney, Angus Ta'avao, Kurtis Haiu, Peter Saili, Auvasa Faleali'i, Gareth Anscombe, Dave Thomas.

WELLINGTON
Apoua Stewart
Julian Savea
Shaun Treeby
Charlie Ngatai
Hosea Gear
Lima Sopoaga
Alby Mathewson
Rodney So'oialo (c)
Scott Fuglistaller
Faifili Levave
Api Naikatini
Jeremy Thrush
Neemia Tialata
Dane Coles
John Schwalger
Reserves: Ged Robinson, Jacob Ellison, Nick Passi, Dean Brunsdon, Ruki Tipuna, Fa'atonu Fili, Tajhon Mailata.