Rugby: Mooloos look to repeat winning formula

Dwayne Sweeney of Waikato. Photo / Getty Images

More of the same but done a little bit better will be Waikato's target when they take on Auckland in a ITM Cup semifinal at Eden Park in Auckland tomorrow night.

The Mooloos go into the match on the back of a dominant 26-6 victory over championship leaders Canterbury last weekend, stretching their winning streak to five in the process.

That result and their recent form have put them in a confident frame of mind as they head into their showdown with their near neighbours.

"The boys have really built over the last part of the season, but there's still room for improvement, which is good going into a semifinal," wing Dwayne Sweeney said.

"We know if we get those things right, it's going to make for a good contest."

Sweeney said the improvements related mainly to better execution of the details in their game plan.

"We performed really well against Canterbury," he said.

"When we had the ball in the tackle, we were patient and we were able to build pressure and score points. For us, it's more of the same and making sure we get the little things done well."

The battle between two strong packs would be key, with Sweeney saying Waikato needed to be able to neutralise Auckland's forwards, especially their ability to build momentum with the pick and go.

He said a lot of his team-mates were still hurting from the memory of how Auckland dominated up front in a 26-18 win in the final round in Hamilton last season, snuffing out Waikato's semifinal hopes then.

The victory over Canterbury marked a return to action for test winger Sitiveni Sivivatu, who came on in the second half after six months out through shoulder surgery.

Sivivatu has been named in the starting 15 for face Auckland and is due to head to Hong Kong to join the All Blacks immediately after the match.

While he is in a bracket with Henry Speight on the right wing, both he and team management are confident the knee niggle he picked up from the All Blacks' training match in Auckland last weekend won't prevent him from running out at Eden Park.

Sweeney is one player who will be boosted by Sivivatu's presence on the field, describing the 43-test flyer as the best winger in the world.

"He has such a good understanding of the game and he has a wealth of knowledge," he said.

"He's been huge for me because, as everyone knows, I'm not generally a winger and it's been awesome to learn off him."

Waikato won the round-two fixture against Auckland 21-18 at Eden Park in early August, but Sweeney said both teams had improved since then.

As well, history counted for little in a sudden death scenario.

One thing Sweeney, a born-and-bred Waikato boy, won't jettison from that afternoon is the memory of his decisive try right on the fulltime hooter.

"It's every Waikato kid's dream to score the winning try against Auckland at Eden Park," he said.

"I practised that one on the back lawn for maybe 10 years when I was younger. It was a special day, being a day before my birthday as well. It's a memory I have, but I know it's up to me to perform again this weekend."

- NZPA