Rugby: Referee helps with Auckland problems

Auckland coach Mark Anscombe. Photo / Getty Images

Auckland have blown the whistle on their recent disappointing displays in the national championship.

Research showed they were serial offenders in a number of areas and exasperated coach Mark Anscombe called in referee Greg Watson to administer some remedial work.

Watson took the squad through an opposed training session yesterday as Anscombe, his assistant Andrew Strawbridge and others watched his rulings on some of the problem issues.

"There was a bit of work needed on ball presentation so that we did not leave ourselves open to interpretation and can take the referee out of the equation," Anscombe explained.

Auckland travel to play Tasman on Sunday for the final game of round nine in the competition.

They have lost two of their more experienced players, with massive prop Paea Fa'anunu out for the season with a knee injury and five-eighths Daniel Bowden unlikely to return after suffering a high ankle sprain in last week's loss to North Harbour.

"That defeat was very disappointing because our graph had been going upwards but the things that are hurting us are our ball-retention in contact, decision-making at the breakdown and giving away far too many penalties," Anscombe said.

That concern prompted him to invite Watson to training. He had been on the national panel, seen Auckland play and knew the areas where they had infringed and given away the most penalties in this year's competition.

"We are the worst offenders right across the park - at the gate, not rolling away, releasing the ball - and those were areas where we were getting better and now in the last couple of weeks we have slipped up," Anscombe said.

He was also aggravated last week that Auckland lacked any urgency and desire to finish off North Harbour.

A disturbing pattern had begun to emerge in the past three weeks against Otago, Manawatu and North Harbour, where his side, instead of finishing off their opponents, had relaxed.

"We get opportunities but we do not show enough desire," Anscombe said. "I can't put my finger on it. Some players do not seem to have the necessary attitude."

Results of that assessment are expected today with the side to play Tasman likely to have several changes.

Young Ash Moeke will play at five-eighths in place of the injured Bowden and Gareth Arlidge, who had a spell at Tasman, has been brought in as backup from the development squad.

Defeat last round means Auckland are now only a point ahead of Tasman and in a real battle to claim the leaders.

Anscombe warned their foes would be even more amped for this clash as New Zealand Rugby Union chairman Steve Tew confirmed this week four sides would be demoted this season and Tasman had been mentioned as one for the chop.

"They are tracking well, they are playing good rugby, they have a number of good footballers and down at home they are a very tidy side. They use the ball well, they offload the ball and they have some gamebreakers."

He wanted to assess further some of the balance in his pack before he named his side today. He had not heard from any of his All Blacks, Joe Rokocoko, Isaia Toeava, Jerome Kaino or John Afoa but expected to have several back next week.