Williams demands justice

Lock Jay Williams is demanding the struggling Auckland team do the famous blue and white jersey justice against Canterbury at Eden Park on Saturday night.

Auckland have 16 national titles to their credit but have fallen on tough times with last year's 11^th place finish followed up by a 13-47 hiding at the hands of Hawke's Bay in  the opening round of the 2009 Air New Zealand Cup.

Taking on defending champions Canterbury - albeit another first round loser - means things don't get any easier.

But Williams says standards have to lift. The younger brother of All Black lock Ali, he suddenly finds himself a senior figure in the Auckland side with his 31 caps making him the fourth most experienced player in the starting side to face the red and blacks.

But Williams say it doesn't matter whether you are young or old, there should be no excuses.

"Whether you have played one or 100 games, once you put on the Auckland jersey it's about standing up personally and really living up to the expectations of the people who have played in it beforehand and people who are playing in it now. You have to thrive on the opportunity," said the 26-year-old, adding that he had faith in the side to respond.

"The ability is there with the young players we have got. We really do think that we have a good team. We just didn't turn up in Napier and if you don't turn up on the day you are going to get beaten in this competition - it's a strong and fair competition, it's squaring up to be pretty even. We have to become one of those teams in the mix at the end of it."

There has been no lack of soul-searching in the Auckland camp this week, realising the challenge that lies ahead in hosting the old enemy from the south.

"Everyone loves to play Canterbury - they are a great side, they are very well structured. We really have to turn up and play this week otherwise it could be another loss and we definitely don't want to see that again," said Williams.

His thoughts are echoed by coach mark Anscombe who is wary of copping a backlash from a Canterbury who will be smarting after being pipped by North harbour.

He believed Canterbury - and star playmaker Dan Carter - will be better this weekend.

"If you look at last year they had a slow start and came back and won it. They are a team that is smart, they are well coached and they have some good players. They will grow as a team as the competition goes," said Anscombe.

"I'm sure they will be a lot smarter and wiser for that game on Saturday. They will be wanting to make amends this weekend."

Auckland have put plenty of training effort into their breakdown work this week after they were embarrassingly exposed in that area by the Magpies. Anscombe is demanding physicality, presence and precision, knowing that department will again be central to a match that is always a season highlight but now has a desperate edge to it, even if it comes in just the second round.

AUCKLAND: 15 Paul Williams, 14 Dave Thomas, 13 Teddy Stanaway, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Winston Stanley, 10 Daniel Bowden, 9 Grayson Hart, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Onosai'i Auva'a, 6 Kurtis Haiu, 5 Jay Williams, 4 Andrew Van der Heijden, 3 John Afoa, 2 Tom McCartney, 1 Tevita Mailau. Reserves: 16 Francis Smith, 17 Paea Fa'anunu, 18 Dean Budd, 19 Hamish Paterson, 20 Taniela Moa, 21 Ash Moeke, 22 Atieli Pakalani.

CANTERBURY: 15 Colin Slade, 14 James Paterson, 13 Tim Bateman, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Sean Maitland, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Tyson Keats; 8 Mike Coman, 7 George Whitelock (captain), 6 Michael Paterson, 5 James Broadhurst, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Peter Borlase, 2 Ti'i Paulo, 1 Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: 16 Will Catherwood, 17 Andrew Olorenshaw, 18 Luke Romano, 19 Matt Todd, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Stephen Brett, 22 Adam Whitelock.

- © Fairfax NZ News