Auckland confident of another NPC title

4.00pm

With professionalism ushering in a host of new initiatives which are altering the rugby landscape forever, it's good to see a time honoured tradition remain steadfast -- Auckland bravado.

Heading into the opening round of the NPC first division this weekend, the defending champions exude the same confidence that contributed to their predecessors' remarkable success.

"Everyone outside of Auckland wants to be Auckland," coach Pat Lam told NZPA when asked about their approach to being labelled competition favourites.

"It's a fact of life that we're the biggest union and also the team everyone wants to beat.

"That hasn't changed from our playing days but it's up to the players to deal with it.

"It's all part of the learning curve as a rugby player, and as a person you have to deal with the favourites tag.

"It's what makes Auckland players strong and why there are 10 of them in the All Blacks."

Lam, the former Samoa stalwart, All Blacks loose forward and Auckland representative, has the statistics to back his exuberance.

Auckland have won six NPC titles in the last 10 years, including the last two, and also hold the Ranfurly Shield.

With a swag of All Blacks set to return after the opening rounds, they could confidently line up a three-peat.

Lam said he would only field his internationals when "they were ready to play," but after speaking to all of them they were eager to don the blue and white hooped jersey this season.

"Some could play in the second round, third round or even later. It's up to them."

Auckland's preparations for the NPC saw them post more than a century of points in both Ranfurly Shield matches against third division Poverty Bay and second division Counties-Manukau, but their rollicking pre-NPC start was interrupted with a 14-26 loss to Wellington in a non-championship match last week.

They start their NPC campaign on Sunday in their third shield defence this season against Bay of Plenty at Eden Park.

Bay of Plenty produced one of last year's big upsets when they rolled Auckland 32-25 in Tauranga.

Lam believes the 2004 season will also be punctuated with more upsets because all the teams have the ability to beat each other on any given day.

"Whether they can do it every week is another story, but all the teams are well coached and a lot of ideas are shared throughout the country.

"People are constantly working out ways to beat you."

Despite his hefty quota of All Blacks, Lam still has the talents of loose forward Sione Lauaki, flanker Daniel Braid and utility Bradley Mika to solidify his pack.

In the backline Lam has a backlog of talent in Ben Atiga, Tasesa Lavea and Orene Ai'i to call on.

In Saturday's first round matches Otago host Northland, Waikato play Southland, while North Harbour face Taranaki.

In the competition opener on Friday night, Canterbury square off against Wellington in the capital.

For new Canterbury captain Sam Broomhall, the prospect of starting a campaign without the team being depleted through international duty appealed.

This year only six players are with the All Blacks, compared to the 12 who were selected for the 2003 World Cup.

Broomhall said another benefit of having fewer internationals were reduced expectations, although they are heavily favoured to join Auckland in the semifinals.

"The external pressures have come off a little bit," Broomhall said.

"Considering we no longer have the shield and haven't had the NPC success of previous years, the most pressure to perform is from ourselves."

Broomhall, a No 8, who was named co-captain with Richie McCaw, can call upon a host of former All Blacks in both the forwards and backs, which gives the 2001 champions a menacing look.

World Cup discards Reuben Thorne, hooker Corey Flynn, lock Brad Thorn and prop Dave Hewett bolster the Canterbury pack, while Ben Blair and Caleb Ralph prop up a backline that will welcome back Aaron Mauger, Daniel Carter, Justin Marshall and Andrew Mehrtens after the Tri-Nations.

One major concern for Canterbury was McCaw's battle with post-concussion symptoms which could keep him out of the NPC altogether.

The teams likely to join Auckland and Canterbury in the semifinals will probably also be drawn from the Super 12 franchises.

Waikato, under new coach John Mitchell, are top-four contenders, but have been hit with injuries.

Backs Loki Crichton, Derek Maisey and Roger Randle, and forwards Deacon Manu and Tom Willis have been ruled out for the season, while much will rest on All Blacks forwards Jono Gibbes and Marty Holah while Keith Robinson could be sidelined for the opening rounds with calf injury while.

Champions in 2000, Wellington have the potential to repeat the feat with a dose of young talent in the tight forwards, while captain Rodney So'oialo, Ben Herring and Jerry Collins provide an exciting loose forward combination.

Otago have welcomed back John Leslie to direct their backline, but their hopes will rely a forward pack boasting Simon Maling, Anton Oliver, Carl Hoeft and Sam Harding.

While Bay of Plenty and Southland discarded the form book last year to finish in joint fifth and sixth place respectively, they will do well to improve, while Taranaki and Northland will battle it out for the minor placings.

North Harbour may be missing their core forwards in Troy Flavell, Ron Cribb and Matua Parkinson from 2003, but have a backline boasting Rico and Hosea Gear, plus promising first five-eighth Luke McAlister.

- NZPA