Walsh to weather storm at the breakdown

Attention tonight is sure to centre on how Steve Walsh rules the breakdown. Picture / Brett Phibbs

Canterbury have hardly enjoyed a perfect build up for their NPC first division semifinal against Otago in Christchurch tonight.

Having swamped Auckland four tries to none in last weekend's 27-12 round robin win, Canterbury should have been gliding on a wave of confidence.

But instead of receiving accolades for retaining the Ranfurly Shield and securing a home semifinal, they have been left to defend their tactics at the breakdown and notably, how flanker Richie McCaw operates in the depths of the rucks.

Auckland coach Pat Lam said referee Paul Honiss was intimidated by McCaw's reputation, that the official was afraid of punishing one of the world's best openside flankers for infringing, slowing down and killing the ball.

Canterbury hotly denied the allegations but Lam's outburst led to a flood of opinions.

That debate has in turn thrust tonight's referee, Steve Walsh, into the spotlight.

Canterbury coach Aussie McLean said he saw no need to discuss the breakdown with Walsh before the semifinal, the topic was a dead duck, that Canterbury did not deliberately infringe.

Captain Reuben Thorne also denied the 16-5 penalty count which went against his side last weekend had caused consternation in the Canterbury camp.

"I don't think it's an issue for us," Thorne said. "Our discipline has been good all year. It's not something we have concerned ourselves with."

How Walsh rules the breakdown and whether he watches for McCaw remains to be seen.

When McCaw found himself on the wrong side of the Otago ruck, in Canterbury's 19-24 loss in Dunedin a fortnight ago, there was no shortage of Otago boots trying to remove him.

That rucking game is expected to be used tonight but how Otago use their quick ball depends on how they counter Canterbury's rushing defence and how Walsh polices it.

When the sides last met, Otago's scrum was the better unit and their loose forwards - Josh Blackie, Craig Newby and Grant Webb - also had the upper hand.

The return of No 8 Mose Tuiali'i, who produced a powerful running game against Auckland after his one-match suspension, should ease Canterbury's concerns.

"They are all big, strong, powerful guys who compete well for the ball," Thorne said of the Otago loosies.

"And they carry the ball well, too. I think this year they have been especially combining well because they have had the chance to get some combinations, there have been no injury disruptions."

Last weekend the defence of McCaw, Tuiali'i and blindside flanker Thorne was punishing around the ruck and maul and against runners coming back across the grain.

With Canterbury loosehead prop Greg Somerville ruled out due to injury, his replacement Wyatt Crockett is in for the challenge of his career against Carl Hayman.

Otago will aim to attack the Canterbury scrum after their success at Carisbrook and with Somerville out, but it's difficult to see where else they can exploit Canterbury, who have not lost an NPC game at home in two years.

Otago's four tries in 10 minutes caught Canterbury napping but that should not happen again.

McLean said the southern derby would give the semifinal an extra edge.

"Otago games are always special for us. Some of us have had some long personal friendships with them off the field. It makes it a brother on brother thing."

- NZPA