Tactics and flair topple Mooloos

Sam Tuitupou is congratulated on his try. Phil Walter / Getty Images

Auckland 40 Waikato 30

Marry instinct to strategy, tack on some industry from the forwards and you have the reconstituted Auckland side which was able to stay unbeaten in the NPC when they outgunned neighbours Waikato.

It was a thrilling contest with the athletic invention and continuity of Auckland stretched to break clear of Waikato's diligence and cloying rush defence.

In the midst of some bewildering rugby, a try to Ben Atiga just after halftime was perhaps the most remarkable because of the leadup running, ball-handling and interplay from props John Afoa and Saimone Taumoepeau.

Enterprise won, but not before Auckland coach Pat Lam approached referee Gary Wise at halftime to ask why he had ignored advice from his touch judges about Waikato's persistent offside infringing.

Wise responded that it was "his call" and Lam was left to lament that his side did not get full value for their linebreaks because Waikato defenders did not always get back onside.

But Auckland had the solutions. They may not bring mega-muscle up front but they brought a range of plays which unhinged Waikato.

There have been times, like the single-point win against Southland, when Auckland have reverted to their profligate ways of last season.

But on Saturday at Eden Park they employed the sort of thoughtful tactics with which the All Blacks outwitted the Springboks at Carisbrook.

Faced with the rush defence Waikato coach Warren Gatland brought back from Wasps, Auckland attacked round the fringes or from real depth in midfield.

Halfback Taniela Moa or first five-eighths Tasesa Lavea sniped in close and used inside passes, or Isa Nacewa and Tony Koonwaiyou were brought off their wings into midfield to trouble the defence.

They knew what they wanted to do and they did it.

Waikato had the wind and the halftime advantage 20-15. They began well with workaholic No 8 and captain Steven Bates scoring at the end of a multi-phase move and Liam Messom finishing a lineout drive.

Auckland had a couple of tries too but had taken a little time to work into the game, battling at the scrums where the massive Philemon Toleafoa led Waikato from loosehead prop.

The visitors were still in front with 25 minutes left when impressive five-eighths Stephen Donald breached the defences from a scrum and scored.

But the effort was waning and substitutes had to be called for to deal with the relentless Auckland attacking onslaught.

Auckland captain Justin Collins' only concerns were the mistakes which allowed David Hill's flawless goalkicking to keep ticking the points over for Waikato. Otherwise Collins was confident of his side's fifth straight win.

The pressure told when a Waikato scrum was disrupted, the ball was stripped for Atiga to step and offload for Sam Tuitupou to score.

Waikato then made a hash of a defensive lineout and Derren Witcombe plunged over for his second try.

"We should have won by more, we needed some more patience, but I love the work ethic and the way we are playing for each other," said Lam.

The coach spoke about the influence of Collins and Lavea, players whose calming authority balances the impetuous nature of others.

But the scavenging of Daniel Braid allowed locks Brad Mika and Kurtis Haiu to show off their running talents, while there were glimpses of a return to form from Jerome Kaino before he tweaked a hamstring.

Waikato could again look at some tackling deficiencies which cost them the week before against Wellington.

This time they allowed Auckland too much time to counter: they did not put the attackers down regularly behind the advantage line.

Bates was all action, a reminder, against Kaino, of the rudiments of the game. Marty Holah lacked the platform to work from that Braid did, while the duel between Donald and Lavea was fascinating.

Both attacked the defensive line but in vastly contrasting styles. Donald used his physical power as well as his speed; Lavea relied more on deception and decoy plays from his team-mates.

Lavea had a more varied kicking game while Donald was the more robust on defence.

Both sides should have more All Blacks available this weekend, but there's speculation about whether Auckland will use them. Wings Joe Rokocoko and Doug Howlett and lock Ali Williams want to play but will not be automatic inclusions in a side travelling well.

Lam said his policy was to manage all his squad and maximise the impact of everyone in the sprint NPC series.

After two losses, Waikato need an injection of elite talent. Jono Gibbes is reported to be close to full fitness after his foot injury and there is optimism Byron Kelleher, Sione Laukai and Sitiveni Sivivatu will also be involved in the Ranfurly Shield challenge against Canterbury.

Encouraging moments at Eden Park:

1. The kind of smart tactics that got the All Blacks home against the Springboks at Carisbrook.

2. Sniping runs from halfback Taniela Moa or first five-eighths Tasesa Lavea to beat the rush defence.

3. The scavenging of Daniel Braid allowing locks Brad Mika and Kurtis Haiu to show off their running talents.

4. Glimpses of a return to form from Jerome Kaino.

5. Calming authority of captain Justin Collins and Lavea.