Rugby: History lessons key to spot in finals

By Richard Boock

That might well have been then, and this is assuredly now.

But when it comes down to today's National Provincial Rugby Championship semifinals at Auckland and Hamilton, memories of past encounters apparently do carry some relevance.

For Wellington, who travel to Waikato for a repeat of last month's unsuccessful Ranfurly Shield challenge, the memory dates back to the start of the season when they were steamrolled 6-45 by Auckland.

Waikato players, on the other hand, think back to the 40-43 loss to Counties-Manukau in the 1997 semi-final at Rugby Park, while North Harbour - who square off against the "A Team" in the second semi-final tonight - have been rekindling the memory of this season's NPC match between Auckland and Otago.

Harbour coach Allan Pollock said his players might have learned more from watching the first half of that Auckland-Otago match than from any formal crash-course on countering defensive tactics.

Charged with overcoming the best defensive side in the competition to reach the final, Harbour's main challenge tonight surrounds their ability to go where so few this season have gone against Auckland - to the try-line.

"Over the past couple of years, Canterbury have had the finest defence in the country," Pollock said. "But Auckland have now taken over that mantle, and deservedly so.

"We watched that Otago- Auckland game again because, in the first half, Otago tried numerous slick and well-timed back movements, they tried all the fancy stuff - and basically went backwards all day.

"The lesson for us was that defensive patterns - by their very nature - are highly structured and organised, and only start to break up once an opposition goes through several phases of possession. The more phases, the more difficult it is to remain organised."

Pollock said Harbour had subsequently placed an emphasis on patient attack and retaining possession, and were unlikely to attempt too much flashy stuff from set or first-phase possession.

Auckland are hopeful of starting halfback Steve Devine, despite an ankle injury, as they feel his quick pass better serves their dangerous outside backs.

Wellington coach Graham Mourie believes the pivotal moment for his team came when they were hammered first-up at Eden Park, and suggested the consequences set the scene for the Lions' strong form through the second half of the season.

"We got cleaned out in that game and had to go back to the drawing board," said Mourie. "But the players worked harder on the practice pitch, we had a bit of a re-shuffle in the midfield, and we concentrated harder on our individual tasks."

Wellington were edged out 24-30 in their shield challenge against Waikato, who have not lost at home since the shock semi-finals loss to Counties in 1997.

Mooloo skipper Deon Muir said the play-offs carried similar pressures to shield rugby, where patience and the ability to absorb pressure were paramount.

"And we don't like losing on our home paddock," he said. "We haven't done so for a couple of years so we've got a lot to play for."

Waikato coach Kiwi Searancke confirmed yesterday that injured prop Michael Collins would not be on the reserve bench, with his place to be taken by Nick Mantell.