George Moala has been in red-hot form this season. Photo / Getty
It is almost 12 months to the day that Counties Manukau spiked Auckland's run into the Premiership semifinals.
The 41-18 victory was as convincing as it looked and Auckland have not forgotten the feeling.
Second five George Moala, in red-hot form with nine tries in as many ITM Cup outings this season, cannot recite chapter and verse the encounter as he spent the night in hospital after a head clash with Ofa Tu'ungafasi, but knows the tantalising lure of a home semifinal means the team will be on the job.
"That was a tough night for the boys. We have spoken about them giving us a hiding. We need to prepare ourselves, because they are going to bring it to us like they did last year," said Moala, who will be tasked, along with midfield partner Charlie Piutau, with keeping the effervescent young tyros Cardiff Vaega and Sam Vaka in check.
Moala has achieved the not inconsiderable feat of scoring eight tries from within eight metres, intent as he is on stealing the forwards' tries, but his second against Northland last weekend was a more familiar 50m effort.
"The coach was giving me grief, calling me the 5m man. After getting that 50m try, the boys were not on my back anymore. I'm just showing them how to pick and go!" Moala said, with a big grin.
Moala carried well for the Blues, but there were doubts about the breadth of his distribution game at No 12. Those have been alleviated with his passing for Auckland, and indeed he set up two tries with well-timed balls to his outsides.
"I want to play at second five now. I don't see myself as a wing anymore. Too slow!"
Auckland coach Paul Feeney, who will work with Moala at the Blues, is listening.
"He understands the position much better. That's just time in the jersey. He wants to play midfield because he touches the ball more!" Feeney said.
The All Blacks selectors will have noticed Moala's output from afar too, as their planning for 2016, minus three of their four RWC midfielders, takes shape.
Auckland have named Taleni Seu at No 6 in place of the injured and in-form Joe Edwards, who should be back for next Friday night's semifinal with Tasman. There is no room for Leon Fukofuka, Vince Aso and Lolagi Visinia in the Auckland 23, showing the riches Feeney has in the back division. But he is expecting to be "bush-whacked" by the Steelers.
"It's Tana's last game, playing at home, they've just hit some form, they'll remember what they did to us last year. She's going to be a toughie."
Auckland's equation is simple. Any victory tomorrow will see them host Tasman at Eden Park next Friday. A loss would see them travel to Nelson for that semifinal.
The sole change to the Steelers' line-up from the XV that beat Waikato sees Maama Vaipulu slot back into No 8.
Assistant coach Grant Henson likes the physicality his pack has delivered in the last three weeks.
"They are owning that (breakdown) area. Once you get that momentum going, it's hard for teams to get back at us," said Henson.
"Everyone wants to be up for their last game, and Auckland are our big brother from up the road. These boys are up for that."
The clash also marks the final Steelers game for coach Tana Umaga, capping a six-year involvement with the union as player, assistant coach and now coach. He takes up the Blues head coaching role next month.
The Steelers will finish fifth, as they did in 2014, regardless of this result.
*First five/fullback Mitch Hunt, on Auckland's bench, is going back to his Nelson roots after signing with the Crusaders and the Tasman Makos for 2016.
Counties Manukau: Toni Pulu, Frank Halai, Sam Vaka, Cardiff Vaega, Sione Fifita, Piers Francis, Richard Judd, Maama Vaipulu, Sam Henwood, Jordan Taufua, Sikeli Nabou, Jimmy Tupou (c), Sam Aiono, Gafatasi Sua, Pauliasi Manu; Reserves: Sione Anga'aelangi, Sean Bagshaw, Jarrod Firth, Viliame Rarasea, Onosa'i Auva'a, Pele Cowley, Willie Walker, Johnny Fa'auli
Auckland: Melani Nanai, Bryce Heem, Charlie Piutau, George Moala, Ben Lam, Simon Hickey (c), Kaito Shigeno, Akira Ioane, Mitch Karpik, Taleni Seu, Scott Scrafton, Michael Fatialofa, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Greg Pleasants-Tate, Sam Prattley; Reserves: Kurt Eklund, Isi Tu'ungafasi, Marcel Renata, William Lloyd, Matt Matich, Jono Hickey, Mitch Hunt, Rieko Ioane