Rugby: Auckland begin to plan strategy for big game

By WYNNE GRAY AND NZPA

As Auckland's victory over Otago became inevitable, the coaching staff began flicking the channels on the television monitor in their Eden Park bunker.

Their interest was in the match in the capital, where the winners would be Auckland's opponent this Friday in the first semifinal of the NPC.

Glimpses of Wellington's win interested Wayne Pivac and Grant Fox, and yesterday they were able to dissect their opponents more as they went into the first stages of their homework for the playoffs.

They could watch a video replay and complete the computer analysis which is a compulsory coaching requirement these days.

The medical reports were assessed. There was some damage from the weekend, but nothing really structural.

Paul Thomson, Leo Lafaiali'i, Robin Brooke, Nick White, Eroni Clarke and Craig Innes were all recovering well from their bangs, cuts and strains.

Selections, said coach Pivac, would wait for a few days.

This match was at night against a opponents very different from Otago. It was always evident that Wellington's greatest threat came from their back four, but they were a team of all-round ability capable of applying strong pressure.

"We won our last game with some very solid defence and we will be needing all of that and some more if we are to get the right result again this time," Pivac said.

The Wellington team will be named tomorrow and it appears the only change from the side who started against Waikato last Saturday could be if Alama Ieremia does not recover in time from a hamstring injury.

Ieremia, who has not played in an NPC semifinal in nine years with Wellington, was cautiously optimistic he would be able to play.

Ieremia, who turns 30 this month, is in the middle of contract negotiations with the New Zealand Rugby Football Union.

He conceded it was an important time in his career as he weighed up whether to recommit to New Zealand rugby or head overseas.

Meanwhile, Canterbury halfback Justin Marshall believes Taranaki will be much different opponents in the second semifinal, in Christchurch on Saturday night, compared with the side Canterbury trounced in New Plymouth last month.

Marshall feels Canterbury's 43-9 round-robin win does not guarantee them a psychological hold, with Taranaki sure to have revised their tactics after that loss.

"I know they were very dejected after that. They made some tactical changes to their game, which we will have to adjust to," Marshall said.

"They look a different side to me and have the scalps of Otago, Waikato and North Harbour, some very good sides. Once a team starts winning you get that confidence."

Marshall said the Canterbury players felt they were below par in beating Northland last Friday night and were aware they could not afford a repeat against Taranaki.

"And if we're not careful we will end up watching the final the following week on television like eight other teams, instead of being out there."

Marshall scored two tries in the 28-22 win over Northland, repeating the brace he managed earlier this season against Auckland.

"I'd like to keep that touch, but unfortunately it goes just as quickly as it comes.

"It was nice, though, that I was in the right place at the right time, and the tries made a difference in both games."

Marshall said he was getting back to peak fitness, which he had reached against Auckland before sustaining a hamstring injury which sidelined him for the next two NPC matches.

"[Last] Friday night was the first time I've felt I could really stretch out and give it 100 per cent again.

"You can get by on 90-odd, but it's good to have that little bit extra."

Lock Todd Blackadder will be available for selection after sitting out the match against Northland because of a neck injury.

Fullback Leon MacDonald is also in contention after an ankle injury sustained against Southland, but will be hard pressed to displace in-form fullback Ben Blair.