Wellington have had enough of silver medals

Jimmy Gopperth

In a speech to his Wellington team the other day, coach John Plumtree remarked on how they had amazed him since he took over in 2003.

Their continued progress had delighted him but neither he nor the side would be totally satisfied unless they claimed the Air New Zealand Cup today in Hamilton.

That mood permeated the team after their semifinal success against Auckland. They deserved to celebrate after their rumbustious 30-15 victory but dinner was a sombre affair back at their hotel.

"No one spoke," first five-eighths Jimmy Gopperth said.

"I thought it might have had something to do with the good tucker, the steak and wedges, all the stuff you don't normally eat - but it was more about the fact we still had work to do.

"It showed we were not just happy with being in the final again. In 2003 and 2004, we were young guys and making the finals was something. We were happy to be there but not this time. We have grown together through those other campaigns and we want to make this one count.

"We know what it is all about, we have had enough of the silver medals."

Gopperth, 23, played for Wellington in the 2003 and 2004 provincial defeats and the foggy Super 14 final loss this season against the Crusaders.

Until the quarter-finals of the Air New Zealand Cup, Wellington's form had been patchy. But as soon as the sudden-death part of the series arrived and their All Blacks returned, the side ramped up play.

Everyone seemed to have switched on to it, said Gopperth, although he was thrown by the silence accompanying that concentration. That hush in the changing sheds spooked him before the wins against Canterbury and Auckland.

"As the general in the team I wondered if we were up for the game. I tried not to think too much about it but then we got on the field and we erupted. It was amazing, there was such a level of concentration.

"It was quiet during the warm-up last week against Auckland and I wondered if we had turned up. But again, as soon as the whistle went, things erupted."

It was a great feeling to be part of a Wellington side delivering such good rugby. The All Blacks had made a big difference with their experience and knowledge. Rodney So'oialo and Jerry Collins created a lot of go forward while Neemia Tialata had been a rock in the scrum.

"All those guys are so instrumental to what we do and that is great for the rest of us."

Gopperth has not shirked his duties, running the backline steadily and scarcely missing a defensive beat close to the rucks and mauls.

"We have to be strong there, we could not let Auckland get any gaps and I enjoy that area of the game anyway. These days, first-fives have to tackle and the loosies are getting bigger every year.

"They don't get any smaller in the Waikato team either and, hopefully, our guys can muscle up and keep them out of our channel."

Defence had not been Wellington's forte in their section play loss to Waikato but the final was a completely new set of circumstances. Waikato had only lost once this season but Wellington felt they were on their game.

They would have to be to counter the rush defence from Waikato.

"We know exactly what they are going to bring, we have to plan moves and options to combat it. They do give you opportunities but it is about taking the right one at the right time when you are under a lot of pressure. They fly up pretty quick, you don't have much time to think."