Rugby: Patience the way to beat red & blacks

Benson Stanley will be at number 13. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Keep it close, bash round the fringes, remember the rumble - that may be at the core of Auckland's rugby mantra today when they test their credentials away to Canterbury.

Unwittingly, they may have been helped by wet or slow conditions they've encountered this season, and which may repeat in Christchurch.

Clues about Auckland's anxieties may have come from coach Mark Anscombe as he talked through the side he has picked for their latest challenge against the red-and-blacks.

He has picked All Black midfielder Benson Stanley out of his regular position at centre because he was "a bit quicker than the others".

Stanley's defensive qualities should get a full workout as he and fellow midfielder Jamie Helleur square off against Ryan Crotty and Robbie Fruean.

The Canterbury duo bring plenty of class, guile and muscle to their work, which spectators may contrast with the curtainraiser activities of Sonny Bill Williams.

That would be a distraction for the Canterbury rugby public, Anscombe said. "I don't care if he's playing or not."

His plans this week have been to erase the sloppy work from the last win against Northland and set a plan for this shootout between two of the competition heavyweights.

"Canterbury have been a benchmark in big games and if we are going to be serious about our calibre, we have got to do well."

Auckland's strengths have been their scrum, where All Black John Afoa slips into loosehead while the massive Charlie Faumuina gets to tangle with the unorthodox style and complaints of Wyatt Crockett.

"Charlie will stay at tighthead for continuity later in the competition," Anscombe said. "This is where he needs to make his statements.

"He's improving and wants to go to the next level. People will start to take notice if he keeps knocking on the door. He's been around a while and we expect him to do the job he's been picked for."

Looseforward captain Daniel Braid and partner Onosai Auva'a had been playing strong rugby and complementing their tight five. It was a pattern which had to build even more for Auckland. "Onosai has added some strings to his game. He's been abrasive with the ball, he's getting around the field and making his tackles," Anscombe said.

Conditions this season have been difficult for most of Auckland's games, so if tonight's conditions are awkward they should be prepared.

They are also very wary of the pace Canterbury could apply to matches.

"Sean Maitland is very quick [from fullback] and we don't have that, but we have got a good defence and have to back that and limit their opportunities and space. We also like to play a physical type of game."

It is the backline which will have Auckland twitchy if they are unable to shut down their rival forwards.

The hosts have brought back in All Black hooker Corey Flynn, prop Peter Borlase and No 8 Nasi Manu, who are all adept at trench warfare, not just freewheeling rugby.

Auckland's strength, said Anscombe, had been in their phase rugby but they went away from that concept in their last game.

"We held the ball for two or three phases and then turned it over.

"We've got to be patient because that's the way to beat them. We've confirmed the areas where we need to take the game on."

Canterbury v Auckland
Christchurch, 7.35 tonight

CANTERBURY
Sean Maitland
T. Umaga-Marshall
Robbie Fruean
Ryan Crotty
Telusa Veainu
Colin Slade
Andy Ellis
Nasi Manu
G. Whitelock (c)
Matt Todd
Isaac Ross
Luke Romano
Peter Borlase
Corey Flynn
Wyatt Crockett
Reserves: Steve Fualau, Andrew Olorenshaw, Rob Verbakel, Ash Parker, Takerei Norton, Stephen Brett, Sam Monaghan

AUCKLAND
Brent Ward
Charles Piutau
Benson Stanley
Jamie Helleur
Dave Thomas
Matt Berquist
Toby Morland
Peter Saili
Daniel Braid
Onosa'i Auva'a
A. Van der Heijden
Kurtis Haiu
C. Faumuina
Tom McCartney
John Afoa
Reserves: Ash Dixon, Tevita Mailau, Liaki Moli, Chris Lowrey, Brenton Helleur, Ash Moeke, Ben Atiga.