Auckland masters of own misfortune

Canterbury 27 Auckland 12

Auckland's refusal to vary their adventurous style meant they became the final Ranfurly Shield casualty for the season.

There was little remorse from anyone in the Auckland camp about their strategies, more a wish to praise their own commitment and to compliment Canterbury on their quality.

But an analysis of Auckland's failure to score a solitary try in their bid for the prized trophy should provoke more debate about their methods as they head into the playoffs.

The question will be whether Auckland can - or believe they need to - modify the high-paced expressive gameplan they have used to strong effect this season.

Was it a refusal to alter ideas or their inability to change which left them as Canterbury's ninth victim in their latest shield reign? It appears as though there is a growing intransigence from Auckland, an inflexible streak which shows out in a number of areas.

There was a reluctance from coach Pat Lam to get senior All Blacks Mils Muliaina and Keven Mealamu primed and ready to start in one of the biggest matches in the competition.

Midfielders Sam Tuitupou, Ben Atiga and No 8 Bradley Mika were substituted after 46 minutes in what Lam admitted was a premeditated decision. Would they still have been subbed if Auckland were winning?

There were no backrow moves from Auckland, such a lack of variety you wondered if they were thinking about saving some surprises for the semis.

Why start Tuitupou and then ignore his talent for getting over the advantage line? In shifting the ball laterally, Auckland helped what was already a frugal Canterbury defence.

"We held and then pushed," returning Canterbury five-eighths Daniel Carter said.

"We let them do all their moves before we moved on defence."

Carter was confident his loose forward trio would cover any inside switches from Auckland and maybe the challengers were also spooked by the defensive safety of Richie McCaw, Mose Tuiali'i and Reuben Thorne.

But shifting possession wide religiously did not test Canterbury enough.

"Most teams know how we play," Lam said in defending the tactics. He also pointed out Auckland made a number of breaks but were guilty of not finishing the strikes. Canterbury made three decent raids in the first half and completed each with a try.

Their attacking precision was the best riposte to concerns about their ragged attack earlier in the competition.

Canterbury coach Aussie McLean warned that Auckland had created trouble and always would with their individual brilliance and speed. Defending against them was a persistent worry.

There was some anxiety for Canterbury but McLean may have been cautious in his comments with the real prospect the sides could face a rematch in the final in a fortnight.

If they do, Auckland have to work out ways to counter McCaw and Carter.

McCaw gave a masterful performance at the breakdown, aided by the very physical presence of Tuiali'i, who was back near his storming best after dealing with his back injury and then a suspension.

"He gave a stellar performance," Canterbury assistant and former No 8 Rob Penney noted.

Meanwhile, McCaw recycled, pilfered and interfered. From Auckland's perspective he was a menace, for his team, gold.

Visiting captain Justin Collins encouraged referee Paul Honiss to sinbin McCaw as a persistent culprit but his views went unanswered. Instead, when Honiss had enough and issued a general warning, Corey Flynn took the rap.

With the final quarter left and holding a narrow 20-12 lead, this was the moment of crisis for Canterbury, the opening for Auckland.

The holders had the answer. Tuiali'i broke the line after some strong leadup work and wing Scott Hamilton finished the move before Carter converted from the sideline. The shield was safe for another season. It was a game of high movement, if not high quality, which was not too badly affected once the high winds and rain from earlier in the day abated.

The surface however, was a little soft and that, with the injuries to Greg Somerville and Derren Witcombe, may have contributed to the protracted scrummaging mishaps.

Why?

* ... Didn't Auckland use Mils Muliaina and Keven Mealamu from the start?

* ... Did they sub Sam Tuitupou, Ben Atiga and Brad Mika so early (after 46min)?

* ... Not use Tuitupou to try to break the advantage line?

* ... Ignore backrow attacking options?