Rugby: Auckland should provide stern test

Crockett wants referees to get a better understanding on the complexities of the scrum. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Auckland will answer a plea from Canterbury prop Wyatt Crockett for some front row competition in Saturday's national provincial duel.

Crockett has been bemused by referees' calls against him this season and claims he has been penalised for running a powerful side of the scrum. He was mystified when Canterbury were penalised for their scrum dominance last round against Tasman.

The loosehead expects a decent clash this weekend in Christchurch and Auckland's powerful scrum should provide that with All Black John Afoa and Charlie Faumuina set for the propping duties.

Auckland coach Mark Anscombe will announce his side today with Afoa and fellow All Black midfielder Benson Stanley due for solitary ITM Cup appearances before they are pulled again for international duty in Sydney.

"It's going to be a decent contest and they're not going to try and bail out and just let the referee guess, which is what some of the teams with poorer scrums will do," Crockett suggested this week.

Crockett played three tests last year but was overlooked this season when fit teammate Ben Franks returned to the All Blacks.

Crockett wants referees to get a better understanding on the complexities of the scrum. His official target on Saturday will be Garratt Williamson who has had five years experience of national championship rugby.

The prop was annoyed that the benefit of the doubt seemed to favour the attacking side.

His job was to disrupt the opposition but when referees favoured teams feeding the scrum, calls were going to go against him.

Canterbury coach Rob Penney felt his side had to make a number of adjustments for their challenge from Auckland.

They had let themselves down against Tasman in their 27-25 defeat, making poor initial decisions which compounded their troubles.

Both teams have been beaten once this season with Auckland heading into a tough stretch of their programme with matches against Canterbury, Taranaki and Wellington.

Canterbury will be without Sonny Bill Williams again this weekend although the midfield back returned to full training this week.

Ryan Crotty should be in the midfield mix somewhere after damaging his foot in the first game of the year while All Black hooker Corey Flynn may also make the squad.

* All Blacks first five-eighths Dan Carter's ankle surgery yesterday was successful, says team doctor Deb Robinson.

Robinson said it was expected that Carter would still be available for the All Blacks end-of-season Northern Hemisphere tour.