KEY POINTS:
Walk the walk before you talk the talk. That's the message being drilled into Auckland's emerging stars after their horror-show start to the national championship against Counties Manukau two weeks ago.
It seemed to hit home ahead of last week's vastly improved performance against Taranaki, with Auckland producing
a controlled display to defend the Ranfurly Shield at Eden Park.
But assistant coach Shane Howarth - who will take over as head coach from Pat Lam after round five - knows another big leap forward is required if Auckland are to get anything out of tomorrow night's trip to Christchurch to play Canterbury.
"There was huge disappointment after Counties and we addressed that," Howarth said. "A few questions were asked of the guys, like were they just happy being here - being able to say to their mates that they were playing for Auckland, rather than understanding what it really meant?
"The response they gave us [against Taranaki] was really pleasing."
Auckland have made one change, with Brenton Helleur starting at halfback in place of Taniela Moa, who is with the All Blacks in South Africa. The much-travelled Junior Poluleuligaga has been bracketed with Grayson Hart (head knock) on the bench.
Canterbury have named an unchanged side. They are still without Crusaders five-eighths Stephen Brett (quad) and Hamish Gard (head knock). Rookie Colin Slade will again be tasked with the playmaking duties.
But there is still a significant veteran presence in the Canterbury side, particularly in the pack, which boasts the likes of No 8 Mose Tuiali'i and wily props Campbell Johnstone and Wyatt Crockett. Promising flanker Keiran Read also features.
Auckland aren't expecting to receive the mountain of possession they enjoyed against Taranaki, with attacking opportunities likely to be at a premium.
While the forward pack had taken a significant step up, the finishing of the backs was still a work in progress, Howarth admitted.
"The huge word this week has been 'patience'. We may not get that many chances against Canterbury so we have to make sure the opportunities we get we are very clinical with."
Howarth's first game in charge of Auckland will be the round six Shield defence against Southland. He will remain in the post until the end of the season but will then turn his attentions to his role as Blues assistant coach, with a new Auckland coach to be appointed next season.
The mass exodus of talent from the Blues region means he and Lam will have their work cut out but Howarth is optimistic about the franchise's prospects.
With Nick Evans and Isa Nacewa among the departed, the main area of concern appears to be first five-eighths. Talented youngster Lachie Munro is in his first year as Auckland's first choice 10 and there are concerns as to whether he will be ready for the step up next season.
"It's in Lachie's hands," Howarth said.
"He's started off pretty well. Against Counties he admitted that he came under a bit of pressure and that's great, that's a learning experience. He came back [well] against Taranaki.
"And we've got Jimmy Gopperth at Harbour and Davey [Holwell] is still running around in Northland.
"But if you look at it, to be honest, in New Zealand the 10 area is a bit short. It's a prime time for somebody to step up in the Air New Zealand Cup and say 'right, I am ready'. Lachie has got that opportunity."
