KEY POINTS:
Odds and omens carry little weight with Auckland rugby coach Pat Lam.
As Lam prepares his side to face rank outsiders Counties-Manukau at Eden Park on Saturday in the opening round of the Air New Zealand Cup, he's worried only about getting the business done on the field.
With a settled squad chock full of big game experience despite having five players heading off to the World Cup, Auckland are the bookmakers' favourites to take the title come October.
The TAB had them this week at $2.25 to lift the trophy, with a significant gap back to second favourites Wellington at $4.00.
"We don't take any notice of that, it's about getting our job done," Lam said.
"The last time we were favourites, we got seventh, I think," he added, in reference to his debut season as coach in 2004.
Also of little consequence to him is the near perfect alignment of Auckland winning the national provincial title in World Cup year.
Only once have they failed to achieve the feat - in 1991, when Otago took the honours.
"I've heard that," Lam said.
"That's history. It's all about the now and we're not even talking about the title or anything. It's about fronting for the game and building the campaign."
Auckland were crowned champions in Lam's second year in charge, but fell at the semifinal stages to Wellington last year.
After a camp in Thailand, their only pre-season hitout resulted in a 21-44 loss to Wellington last weekend after leading at halftime, although Lam did mix up his lineup in the second spell.
With 11 players with All Black experience in their 22 to face Counties-Manukau, including World Cup-bound winger Doug Howlett, Auckland should have far too much firepower for the Steelers.
But Lam indicated that there would be no complacency against a side with only a sprinkling of Super 14 players, among them skipper Kristian Ormsby, and who finished 12th last year.
"They'll go all out against us," he said.
"It's a big game for them as it is for us. It's important we have our teamwork and structure in place, otherwise we'll get blown away by them."
- NZPA
