Rugby: Auckland ready for fierce battle

Auckland coach Mark Anscombe. Photo / Getty Images

Auckland coach Mark Anscombe couldn't believe his eyes on the two occasions he's watched Taranaki play live this season.

"They were absolutely horrible against Northland and Counties-Manukau," he said yesterday.

"I honestly don't think I've seen worse Taranaki teams. But then they should have beaten Waikato, and comprehensively beat Otago, and Wellington."

In other words, it's all about consistency and there's been little of that - apart, inevitably, from defending champions Canterbury - in the Air New Zealand Cup.

So Anscombe is preparing for Taranaki to give it a real lash when they clash in a crucial 11th round match in New Plymouth tonight.

Auckland sit seventh, just off the top four who will contest the semifinals; Taranaki are ninth, two points and two places below Auckland and at the point of no return. Lose tonight and they're toast, which means Auckland would be wise to be ready for some fireworks.

The returning All Black wing Joe Rokocoko is the only change from the Auckland team which beat Southland 27-13 last weekend.

It was not a tough selection for Anscombe, although he added he'll be looking for another strong hand off the bench from hard-running loose forward Peter Saili, who has had an impressive campaign.

Anscombe acknowledged that the closeness of the competition - six points covering eight teams from second to ninth - had appeal, although coaches tend not to see things in neutral terms.

"The level of rugby is inconsistent. Teams need to be better and that's why we're getting upsets, apart from Canterbury," he said.

He pointed out some of the challengers still have to play each other before the end of the round robin so face getting knocked about by their rivals. But there's no point getting too far ahead just yet.

"We've got to take each game and win it. The rest will take care of itself," Anscombe added.

With their All Blacks back, and Taranaki's All Black hooker Andrew Hore on meat-selling duty in Britain, Auckland will fancy their prospects.

"They're a tough unit down there," Anscombe said of Taranaki. "They've got a good forward pack and good history against Auckland.

"They will have confidence and self belief that they can beat us down there. And we've been topsy turvy," he added with a touch of understatement.

The fact both are chasing playoff spots - and one of them won't make it - just adds extra edge to the contest.

New Plymouth, 7.35 tonight

TARANAKI
Jack Cameron
Nathan Hohaia
Paul Perez
Jayden Hayward
Shayne Austin
Willie Ripia
Brett Goodin
Jarrad Hoeata
Ben Souness
Johnny Willis
Craig Clarke
Jason Eaton
Michael Bent
Laurence Corlett
Tony Penn (c)

AUCKLAND
Paul Williams
Joe Rokocoko
Benson Stanley
Jamie Helleur
Atelia Pakalani
Ash Moeke
Taniela Moa
Chris Lowrey
Onosai Auva'a
Jerome Kaino
Kurtis Haiu
A. van der Heijden
John Afoa
Tom McCartney
Tevita Mailau

Taranaki: James Hinchco, Carl Carmichael, Nemia Soqeta, Chris Walker, Bayden Phillips, Ed Jenkins, Ace Malo

Auckland: Pat Leafa, Pauliasi Manu, Jay Williams, Peter Saili, Auvasa Faleali'i, Gareth Arlidge, Chay Raui