Ranfurly Shield could go either way

All Black hooker Keven Mealamu has failed to force his way into the Auckland team and will start on the bench. Picture / Brett Phibbs

Experienced All Black Richie McCaw admitted his NPC reintroduction with Canterbury had been one of the more challenging episodes in his glossy rugby career.
He felt awkward joining the side so late in the competition after being advised to rest for some weeks after his international duties.

The difficulty, he told coach Aussie McLean, was that he just wanted to fit into the side, he was anxious about making mistakes or upsetting the patterns they had been working on.

"He just wanted to concentrate on slotting back into the side without doing anything else too much," McLean said. "But with a game under his belt he will be away now."

That will be an ominous message to Auckland today as they challenge Canterbury for the Ranfurly Shield where the winner should also finish top of the NPC points table.

Canterbury have assimilated most of their All Blacks into full playing mode while the challengers have still got a couple, such as Keven Mealamu and Mils Muliaina, who are riding the reserves bench.

And if anyone is going to be key in this final shield challenge for 2005, it will be McCaw, who can defuse much of Auckland's pacey attacking plans if he disrupts at the breakdown or outmuscles his opposite, Daniel Braid.

Cut off Auckland's possession or slow it down and their venom will evaporate. It is a situation to test McCaw's skills, agility and knowledge of the law which will be scrutinised intently by referee Paul Honiss.

Last week, in his comeback against Otago, McCaw was vigorous but without his regular timing while replacement No 8 Johnny Leo'o was more a link player than a physical presence.

That will change in Christchurch tonight. McCaw will have Mose Tuiali'i as his backup after the No 8 served a week's suspension. It is a strike force which may have more consistency and accurate power than Braid and Bradley Mika who will be asked to act in tandem for Auckland.

McCaw is also likely to make Tasesa Lavea's evening far more fretful than the Auckland pivot has been subjected to this season.

The match looms as a classic in the sense that Auckland bring the most lethal attacking edge in the competition with a mixed defence while Canterbury have a niggardly defence and a side of workaholics but have been unable to open up other sides with their attack.

Auckland will favour an up-tempo approach, Canterbury will look to the setpieces and patterns to build into the game, to gnaw away at the challengers with a resolute, solid plan.

They bring the workers like Reuben Thorne, Chris Jack, Greg Somerville and McCaw while Auckland rely heavily on the industry of redoubtable captain Justin Collins, Angus Macdonald and Braid to unleash their mobile athletes.

Canterbury will bustle Auckland like no side other than Taranaki have this season, they will attack Auckland's lineout where Ali Williams remains the only true source of possession, they will look to up the pressure and feed from the challenger's licence to thrill.

The scrum battle remains uncertain with McLean suggesting his unit was solid despite a few wobbles in their last few games.

John Afoa has improved this season on Auckland's tighthead for what should be a huge personal duel with Greg Somerville. This year Canterbury tighthead Campbell Johnstone was promoted to the All Blacks because he had the "best right shoulder in the business". That reputation needs to hold against Saimone Taumoepeau.

Auckland will not deviate from their high-pace, high-adventure strategy, one Canterbury can counter but one which also leaves them far less comfortable than facing a structured opponent.

Goalkicking statistics say Ben Blair and Brent Ward will fare well though Blair's local knowledge may count for more if conditions turn messy as forecast.

The wildcard may be Daniel Carter. It seems strange to use that term about someone Auckland coach Pat Lam rated as the best first five-eighths in the world.

But he has been off work for two months since fracturing his leg and was going to come off the bench for this game until both Cameron McIntyre and Leon MacDonald failed to recover from their leg injuries.

Carter oozes class and will produce some fine touches. But if McCaw can admit to some rust and misgivings after less time away from the game, the return performance of the Canterbury five-eighths may be the barometer for his side's fortunes.

* Jade Stadium, tonight 7.35.


Canterbury
Ben Blair
Scott Hamilton
Casey Laulala
Aaron Mauger
Caleb Ralph
Daniel Carter
Andrew Ellis
Mose Tuiali'i
Richie McCaw
Reuben Thorne (c)
Kevin O'Neill
Chris Jack
C. Johnstone
Corey Flynn
Greg Somerville

Auckland
Brent Ward
Doug Howlett
Ben Atiga
Sam Tuitupou
Tony Koonwaiyou
Tasesa Lavea
Steve Devine
Bradley Mika
Daniel Braid
Justin Collins (c)
Ali Williams
Angus Macdonald
John Afoa
Derren Witcombe
S. Taumoepeau


Reserves
Canterbury: Ti'i Paulo, Wyatt Crockett, Hayden Hopgood, Johnny Leo'o, Jamie Nutbrown, Vilimoni Delasau, Steven Yates.
Auckland: Keven Mealamu, Nick White, Kurtis Haiu, Jerome Kaino, Taniela Moa, Isa Nacewa, Mils Muliaina