Auckland use pace to make it three in a row

Auckland has had the perfect build-up to their NPC campaign with three wins from three outings in the past fortnight.

At Eden Park on Saturday the Pat Lam-coached side added Wellington to their Queensland and New South Wales scalps in NPC warm-up games.

And while these three wins will obviously be a huge confidence booster to Auckland, who struggled throughout last year's National Provincial Championship, there are areas of their game which must be addressed if they are to be a major contender.

There was far too much loss of possession at the breakdowns and too many inaccurate passes.

Auckland has obviously taken a leaf out of the All Blacks' playing manual with their game based on pace and using the width of the field.

Auckland should improve considerably, however, as this year's side have a number of newcomers, mainly from the union's rugby academy.

"Our attitude and work rate was first class but our execution definitely needs to be improved," Lam said.

He praised Wellington coach John Plumtree for putting out a near full strength team. The game proved the ideal workout for Auckland going into next weekend's NPC opener against North Harbour in the annual Battle of the Bridge.

Wellington scored two tries to Auckland's one with Auckland fullback Brent Ward, who plays his Super 12 rugby for the Hurricanes, making the difference in the scoreline. Ward kicked four penalties and converted Steve Devine's try. Wellington's usually accurate goal kicker Jimmy Gopperth missed three first-half penalties.

Devine's try came after flanker Daniel Braid made the initial break and the halfback stepped two would-be Wellington tacklers to score under the crossbar.

Winger Hosea Gear touched down in the corner for Wellington's first try after Ma'a Nonu broke through the Auckland defence. Their second came when replacement halfback Nigel Hunt slipped through from a Wellington forward drive. Auckland led 16-5 at halftime.

Nonu and Doug Howlett, another All Black not yet wanted for the Tri-Nations, had few attacking chances. And when they did they were mostly squeezed for room.

Isa Nacewa, playing at second five-eighths for Auckland, impressed with his speed and ability to breach the Wellington defence.