Credit the coach who turned things round

A frightful hiding at the breakdown against Canterbury was the catalyst for Auckland's rampant form last night. All week Auckland coach Pat Lam had his troops working on their clean out. Poor technique, not the illegal activity of Canterbury's Richie McCaw, had been identified as the cause of the problem.

The tackle pads took a hammering and the decision was made that, come game night, the forwards would hit in numbers.

North Harbour skipper Rua Tipoki said the Harbour boys were literally blown away by the speed and aggression of Auckland's work.

"I think for us the worst thing that could've happened was the hiding Auckland took at the breakdown against Canterbury," said Tipoki. "They learned real lessons out of that. The intensity they had in the first half was a level above ours and it took us too long to wake up."

Tipoki's evaluation of where the game was won will sit well with Auckland coach Pat Lam, as it will be ammunition to fire back at critics who say the former Samoan captain has succeeded by sitting back and saying very little.

Auckland had a problem last week and Lam found a solution. That is what coaching is all about and now that Auckland are in the final, Lam may shed his remaining critics.

Improved scrummaging and ball retention haven't happened by coincidence. The game plan is loose and ambitious but not unstructured. Auckland have so many natural athletes and skilled players that it would be crazy for them to play conservative football.

The fact so many players have re-signed with Auckland this season speaks volumes about the job Lam is doing.

But the renaissance is by no means complete. Auckland need to win this weekend to feel they have put the dark days behind them. History doesn't remember who came second and Auckland will probably never have a better chance of winning the title than they do this Saturday.

Also in Auckland's favour is the home advantage. A factor that still makes a huge difference, especially when this Auckland side is loaded with young, inexperienced players. Familiar surroundings and ingrained routines help players settle.

Lam and his assistant Shane Howarth are an emerging coaching team with the vision to keep Auckland challenging for honours. They'd like nothing more than that first honour to come this Saturday.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY