Silence is golden and black

Bradley Mika on the charge against Wellington earlier this season. Marty Melville / Getty Images

For those who believe in omens on this Black Friday, a silent Wellington changing room will spell trouble for Auckland.

Shortly before kickoff a week ago, an abnormal hush settled on the entire Wellington side before they emerged from their CakeTin crypt to trample Canterbury.

Those close to the side said the silence in the sheds was as eerie as the venom the players began delivering soon after.

Tonight's semifinal has all the evidence of being a classic between two sides with similar attacking intent. Often that sort of hype does not tally with the outcome but there is a buzz about this Eden Park showdown.

Auckland have not resiled all year from their adventurous style and will pursue that again tonight. It is both a strength and a weakness as they have shown few alternate strategies.

Wellington have had time to plan an antidote and this game is all about whether they can administer that treatment and impose their own approach on this semifinal.

The contests at the breakdown, the battle on the advantage line, the outcome of the collisions will be the crucial components.

Deprived of possession Auckland can struggle, but Wellington use their offensive tackling as another weapon. The return of Rodney So'oialo and Jerry Collins has added extra defensive starch and brought another dimension to the side.

The midfield contest between rival captains Tana Umaga and Sam Tuitupou should be savage, while the entire match will test the nerves of the All Black selectors about potential tourists to Europe.

There was still no decision yesterday from Auckland about the fitness of halfback Steve Devine. If he plays, his role will be largely about service while his deputy, Taniela Moa, can mix his game up like Wellington's Piri Weepu.

The packs have similar credentials. Auckland need a strong game from John Afoa at tighthead prop to ease some of their recent wobbles and they will also be edgy about their lineout.

Auckland will go for the hit and spin, popped offloads, short passes in traffic from their pack while Wellington will attempt a more bludgeoning style and lineout drives to commit Auckland's defence.

The visitors' tight five may shade their hosts' work rate and some of that graft may tell in the final quarter of what should be a frenetic pace.

Goalkicking or Paul Honiss' rulings could be decisive although the back-line skirmishes and individual flair may be what separates these semifinalists.

For Wellington that should start with Weepu.

Variety in his play with surges round the fringes and deft kicks will create the sort of momentum Wellington need while Jimmy Gopperth may search for the sideline early to test Auckland's lineout.

Auckland coach Pat Lam refused to believe Gopperth was a weakness his team should target.

"We don't play individuals, we have got to stop their teamwork," he said.

If the rival captains cancel each other out the guile, support and timing of Conrad Smith could be the best asset to crack the midfield defensive walls.

The speed of Joe Rokocoko, the bludgeoning power of Ma'a Nonu or the invention of Isa Nacewa or Cory Jane?

Take your pick from that collection as the most likely to conjure some magic to break open this contest.