Waikato coach Ian Foster believes Saturday night's NPC first division final between his side and traditional rivals Auckland at Waikato Stadium could provide something special.
He branded Auckland's 29-23 upset of Canterbury in Christchurch on Friday night as "magnificent" and a huge improvement on their tally against Waikato in the
round-robin when the red, yellow and blacks won 25-16.
"From the Auckland team that we played three weeks ago there's been a huge difference and they represent a massive challenge for us. They're obviously very confident.
"In some ways it's got the makings of a good final because there's two teams that are on the rise and both like to play attacking rugby.
"Three weeks ago I think we saw a bit of a street fight out here, whereas this weekend it may be a bit different. It could be quite special."
Waikato built up a strong rivalry with Auckland over many years with their annual Queen's Birthday Weekend fixture, which fell by the wayside as a result of the NPC. That rivalry was then renewed with some epic NPC and Ranfurly Shield clashes through the 1980s and 90s.
"They [Auckland] really built up a place in New Zealand rugby through that real magic era they had and they were always the team we loved to beat as neighbours," Foster said.
"Since then it's become a bit more even. But I was really impressed with the way they played [on Friday night].
"We like to attack, we don't go out to avoid losing. We want to win and I think Auckland have adopted that policy, too, which I think is great."
After Saturday's semifinal, Otago skipper Taine Randell was picking Auckland to win the final, while co-coach Greg Cooper said the Mooloo home passion could not be discounted and felt Waikato would be tough to beat.
Meanwhile, the Waikato team's medical staff are working furiously to get first five-eighths David Hill fit after the groin injury he suffered at training last Thursday.
- NZPA
NPC schedule/scoreboard
