KEY POINTS:
Auckland's young squad made acquaintance with reality last week. Or at least captain Ben Atiga is confident they did.
A shock defeat to Counties Manukau in the opening round of the Air New Zealand Cup served as a major wake-up call for the Aucklanders and Atiga says it has ushered in an increased intensity and determination.
There was some more bite at training in the build up to today's Ranfurly Shield defence against Taranaki and a sense of how important this game is for the defending provincial champions
"There are some positives to take out of the loss to Counties," said Atiga. "It can be a good thing sometimes. Now we have our backs to the wall and we tend to do well when we are in that position.
"There has been a better attitude all week from the players and I think everyone is aware how important this game is and what it means.
"A lot of boys left [Auckland] last year and the guys who have come in have been aware for some time that they have an opportunity. It is about them becoming more comfortable in their roles and maturing. Last week was a bit of a wake-up call. It showed that in a 14-team competition any team can get up on the day."
And with the Shield on the line, the chances of Taranaki getting up on the day are that little bit higher. Atiga says he can't remember the game in 1996 when, ironically, the All Blacks touring South Africa greatly weakened the Auckland team, Taranaki came to Eden Park, played out of their skins and lifted the Shield in an epic 42-39 victory.
He can, though, remember the game in 2004, when in similar circumstances, Bay of Plenty came to Eden Park and played like Taranaki had eight years earlier and caught Auckland on the hop.
It's in these early season games where Auckland have proven vulnerable in the past. In 1996 they were rattled by a Taranaki side that just wouldn't lie down and in 2004 it was the control and discipline of the Bay that got to them.
The worry for Auckland today is that if Taranaki can start well, put the pressure on and play the game at the right end of the field, some of the home side's young players could revert to relying on their
individual skills rather then stick to the game plan.
That happened against Counties and is something Atiga will be looking to stamp out early. He's still only 25 and a relative novice at captaincy.
"I haven't had too much experience," he said. "I captained the New Zealand under-21 side but that was a bit different. Everyone came from around the country with different backgrounds but we all had the same attitude in that we were excited by the World Cup and that we were going to go there to try to win it.
"I guess this season it is about adapting to my role. The guys are young, keen and very fit and my job is trying to make sure we stick to the game plan that Pat [coach Lam] has in mind and forcing the values of the team.
"I am pretty lucky that I have Daniel Braid and Nick White to help me."
Isaia Toeava's call-up to the All Blacks means Jamie Helleur is recalled from his loan spell at Harbour and Braid is starting at openside.
Other key changes are in the front row where Charlie Faumuina and Paea Fa'anunu start after impressing off the bench last week.
