Waikato will stick to the tried and true

Waikato will not deviate from their tried and trusted formula leading up to Saturday night's national championship final.

No fancy breakfasts, no outsiders brought in with stirring words of motivation.

Just keep it simple is coach Warren Gatland's philosophy ahead of the showdown with Wellington at Waikato Stadium.

He believes it is important not to change the routines which made Waikato top qualifiers for the knockout stage of the Air New Zealand Cup, and which ensured a home final as long as they kept winning.

"One of the things we've focused on is not to do anything extra, and as coaches don't overcoach," he said.

"It's about the top two inches. It's pretty easy to get up for the big games. You don't have to do much different, the occasion will take care of itself."

Four senior players were involved when Waikato last made the final, losing 40-28 to Auckland in Hamilton four years ago.

Jono Gibbes and Keith Robinson were locking the scrum, Marty Holah was openside flanker and current captain Steven Bates came off the bench.

"The guys involved in 2002 felt in that last week they probably changed it a bit too much," Gatland said yesterday.

"They had breakfasts together and other bits and pieces to make the week a bit special.

"I think they feel it may be better to go the other way."

The match will be a repeat of their Top Six playoff clash at Hamilton on September 23, won convincingly by Waikato 37-21, and which marked former All Black Robinson's return to top domestic rugby after a two-year absence.

Although it's a case of 'that was then, this is now' about the final, both Gatland and Bates believe Waikato can take good things out of that earlier game.

"In the past, whether it was Wellington or the Hurricanes, I've felt on occasions we've been bullied up front a bit," Gatland said.

"That game was a real benchmark for us in terms of confidence."

Bates reiterated the confidence aspect, but played down any other significance.

"We know we can beat them. We've done it before, but it's a whole new ball game," he said.

Waikato are looking good in the injury department.

Their three injury worries ahead of the semifinal - fullback Mils Muliaina, Stephen Donald and Richard Kahui - came through without mishap.

Both Donald, who had heavy bruising on a knee, and Kahui, a calf injury, came off midway through the second half of the emphatic 44-15 semifinal win over Otago on Saturday night when their injuries became sore.

Muliaina, who had a bicep tendon injury, lasted the distance.

Wellington have almost certainly lost prop Neemia Tialata for the final, which is a significant blow as the All Black tighthead has been a strong contributor in their late-season surge.

The calf injury he suffered against Auckland in Friday's semifinal had him on crutches over the weekend.

He will be assessed today, with the added interest being whether he is fit for selection for the All Blacks' Northern Hemisphere tour next month. The squad is to be named on Sunday.

There will be an emotional aspect to Saturday's final for Wellington.

It will be the final game for coach John Plumtree and veteran winger Lome Fa'atau.

Plumtree's house has already been packed up ahead of his move to Durban, where he will be the Sharks' assistant coach in next year's Super 14.

Samoan international Fa'atau will be ruled out of the competition next year due to the World Cup.