Rugby: Shield still holds its magic for Auckland

Auckland coach Mark Anscombe is more than ready for his first attempt. Photo / Getty Images

Auckland's players took a look at clips of two Ranfurly Shield games yesterday; they saw contrasting results but the same emotions.

Last season's horror show at Eden Park, the 27-0 loss to Wellington, was put alongside events in Christchurch a year earlier, when Auckland went south and won the shield 26-15.

So the shield is losing its lustre? Try telling Auckland coach Mark Anscombe, preparing for his first tilt at lifting the celebrated trophy.

"Both [winning] teams were really excited by it so I'd say it means a hell of a lot," he said yesterday ahead of tomorrow's challenge in Wellington.

"Take Daniel Bowden. He's been playing six years' first class rugby and this is his first challenge. We've talked about it and that if you don't take your opportunity it could be a number of years before anyone gets another chance, if ever, again."

Thirteen of the 22 Anscombe named for the match were involved last year, including captain Benson Stanley and senior forward Onosai Auva'a.

He has made four changes to his starting XV - three related to absent All Blacks - from the team which got Auckland their first win of the Air New Zealand Cup, at Kerikeri last weekend.

Paul Williams, back from his one-game suspension, replaces Joe Rokocoko on the right wing; Dean Budd makes his first start of the season for Jerome Kaino at blindside flanker; Tevita Mailau is at tighthead for John Afoa; and beefy Paea Fa'anunu comes in at loosehead for Pauliasi Manu.

Rising talent Ash Moeke keeps the pivotal No 10 role, after a tidy first start against Northland.

He got his chance through Bowden's injury misfortune a week earlier against Canterbury and it's an example of Anscombe's philosophy in action.

"Ash played well last week and he deserved another opportunity. What we try and say is if you get an opportunity, for whatever reason, injury or suspension, you take it," he said.

Wellington coach Jamie Joseph has made five changes to his pack and dumped first five-eighths Daniel Kirkpatrick from the side beaten 21-17 by Bay of Plenty.

Returning unwanted All Black prop Neemia Tialata only gets a spot on the bench.

North Harbour co-coach Craig Dowd is calling for a spot of patience from his team in tonight's match against Northland at Albany.

He believes their poor record of just one try in three games comes from trying to rush their offensive plays.

"We're trying to score off the first phase," he said. "But you need to grind down defences to create opportunities. We need patience and composure and that's very difficult to coach into young men."

Having lost their past two games, it has the hint of "must win" for Harbour, who sit third last, one place above Northland.

"Losing three on the trot, you're going to lose momentum and we can't afford to do that," Dowd added.

Northland took a tumble against Auckland last week but will still fancy their chances provided they get their intensity right at the breakdown, an area in which they were outplayed in Kerikeri.

Manawatu stunned Otago last night in Palmerston North with a 19-12 upset.

A week after toppling Southland in Invercargill, Manawatu showed they are genuine playoff prospects.

They momentarily go top of the table, with a three win-one loss record, although the remaining matches in round four are still to be played.

Wellington, 6.35pm tomorrow

WELLINGTON
Buxton Popoali'i
David Smith
Robert Fruean
Charlie Ngatai
Hosea Gear
Fa'atonu Fili
Alby Mathewson
Victor Vito
Serge Lilo
Mark Reddish
Daniel Ramsay
Jeremy Thrush
John Schwalger
Dane Coles
Jacob Ellison (c)

AUCKLAND
Isaia Toeava
Paul Williams
Winston Stanley
B. Stanley (c)
Dave Thomas
Ash Moeke
Grayson Hart
Peter Saili
Onosai Auva'a
Dean Budd
Jay Williams
Kurtis Haiu
Tevita Mailau
Tom McCartney
Paea Fa'anunu

Wellington: Ged Robinson, Neemia Tialata, Mathew Luamanu, Scott Fuglistaller, Ruki Tipuna, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Alapati Leuia.

Auckland: Francis Smith, Charlie Faumuina, Andrew van der Heijden, Hamish Paterson, Taniela Moa, Daniel Bowden, Jamie Helleur.