Win now paves way for more later on

Coaches and players are fond of saying they don't look beyond the next game. But you can bet they all take a sneaky peak and get the mental cogs whirring over the possibilities and permutations, the ifs and buts of sporting preparation.

So it would be a surprise if Pat Lam and Warren Gatland, the rival coaches in tonight's big clash between Auckland and Waikato at Eden Park, haven't done a spot of mental arithmetic before their opening Air New Zealand Cup Top Six playoff match.

In such a tight time frame - three games, 15 points available, no room for slip-ups - tonight's winner will have taken a big step towards finishing in the top two.

The advantage of that is a home quarter-final against one of the two repechage group qualifiers, and a good chance of winning that and staying at home for the semifinal.

And to draw a longish bow, it's conceivable Auckland or Waikato could tonight go some way towards a home final. Finish in the top two and three knockout games on their own patch loom.

Four other teams will have a say in that, but the two teams who top the opening groups have the chance to keep their noses ahead of the pack.

Neither side is at full strength.

Waikato have lost first five-eighth Stephen Donald to a one-game ban after his ordering off against Counties Manukau last weekend.

That opens the door for New Zealand Colt William Ripia. He is promising, and Gatland wants him to make further progress tonight.

"We're going to know where he's at after this game," Gatland said. "It's about time we threw him in there for a big game."

Ripia should have a fascinating head-to-head with Auckland's gifted 19-year-old Lachie Munro, having his first start in the absence of the injured Tasesa Lavea.

Waikato also have a question mark over impressive halfback Brendon Leonard, who is troubled by a foot injury. No Leonard is no good for Waikato, as he has been one of their better players this season.

Sitiveni Sivivatu is the first Tri-Nations All Black back on deck tonight. Getting him involved will be a priority.

Gatland has left the destructive Sione Lauaki on the bench, but it is a sure bet that the robust loose forward will be on well before the finish.

Auckland have three brackets - lock Brad Mika, wing David Smith and second five-eighth Jamie Helleur have question marks over their fitness.

But with Lavea and Isa Nacewa missing, there is a youthful flavour to Auckland's backline.

Auckland have had their moments this season, but there have been days when things have not gone smoothly, notably against Wellington and in the first half against Bay of Plenty.

"We've talked about how we need to step up a bit as far as our standards go," hooker Derren Witcombe said.

"We probably haven't reached where we want to, so it's important to concentrate on being composed and getting done what we want to."

The fact the six teams all have guaranteed spots in the last eight should not stop them trying to better themselves, he said.

"Come finals time you don't get a second chance. We want to get our game down pat so we're ready to go."

One of the more interesting aspects about tonight is whether both teams will be able to summon a full measure of urgency to their game.

Nothing is at stake in terms of advancing to the quarter-finals, but in some respects this game has plenty riding on it.

Auckland v Waikato
Eden Park, 7.35 tonight

Auckland
Brent Ward, James Somerset, Ben Atiga, Helleur/Hansell-Pune, D. Smith/B. Stanley, Lachie Munro, Steve Devine (c), Andrew Blowers, Daniel Braid, Jerome Kaino, Kurtis Haiu, B. Mika/J. Tekori, John Afoa, Derren Witcombe, S. Taumoepeau
Reserves: Nick White, Chris Heard, Joe Tekori/Brad Mika, Onosai Tololima-Auva'a, Taniela Moa, Roimata Hansell-Pune/Brenton Helleur, Benson Stanley/Lio Taliu

Waikato
Sosene Anesi, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Richard Kahui, David Hill, Roy Kinikinilau, William Ripia, Brendon Leonard, Liam Messam, Marty Holah, Steven Bates (c), Jono Gibbes, Toby Lynn, Nathan White,Tom Willis, Craig West
Reserves: Scott Linklater, Aled de Malmanche, Mark Burman, Sione Lauaki, Malcolm Barnes, Loki Crichton, Dwayne Sweeney