Rugby: Brooke out, Dowd in doubt

By WYNNE GRAY

One of Auckland's NPC rugby plans has taken a serious knock in their quest to maintain an unbeaten eight-year stretch against Wellington tonight.

Lineout and kickoff king Robin Brooke has succumbed to a sternum injury, while the side's most experienced prop, Craig Dowd, is a doubtful starter because of a hamstring strain.

Add the late exit of reserve hooker James Christian with a leg injury and there was some late preparation anxiety for the defending NPC champions.

All week the planning has been about gathering and retaining possession, starving Wellington of chances to use their pacy backline.

After his smart work against Canterbury, Brooke was going to be a key component again for Auckland after being curiously left out of the initial squad.

However, the lock's collision with Leon MacDonald left him too damaged to start, though he may be left on the bench.

"It is a bit of a blow because we wanted to get some ball and hang on to it," coach Wayne Pivac said.

The possible loss of Dowd will take away much of the side's experience, though neither of tonight's teams have been damaging scrummagers.

There may be plenty of that set-phase work though, as Auckland arrived in the capital yesterday to rain, strong winds and forecast of dodgy weather for this round-five clash at the Cake Tin.

In making their selections, Auckland have gone the way of the Blues when they played their Super 12 match with the Hurricanes in the same venue.

They have been able to reinstal Doug Howlett on the wing after his knee problem and shift Iliesa Tanivula into centre in place of Eroni Clarke.

"This was the original selection we had in mind for the backs at the start of the competition," Pivac said.

The theory is that it will give Auckland more pace on defence and attack to counter the "Fab Four" threequarters of the Hurricanes.

It worked against the Hurricanes, when some deft kicks, in slushy conditions, allowed Auckland to push out to a win.

Tanivula can be an erratic performer and his defence will have to be sharp against the Fab Four, who have had the advantage of working all year on their combinations.

If the conditions stay nasty, the Auckland pack and inside backs will be asked for even heftier contributions.

Halfback Steve Devine has been sharp for much of the year, Carlos Spencer steady and Craig Innes a defensive bulwark.

If they combine well it may give an edge, with Wellington struggling in close to cover for the absence of injured Filo Tiatia and Jason Spice.

Auckland were stung by their loss last week to Canterbury. Having worked to a strong lead they made some later errors which the visitors converted.

What sort of a reaction that provokes from Auckland will be part of tonight's intrigue.

They will have to be more patient and clinical in their control, otherwise Christian Cullen, Tana Umaga, Jonah Lomu and Co will be a serious threat to Auckland's rugby spell on the capital.