Auckland coach Alama Ieremia has paid tribute to Dylan Mika ahead of this weekend's Mitre 10 Cup final, saying without the late All Black's support, he may have never taken the job.
Ieremia has had an instant impact on Auckland since becoming the coach this year, taking the near-relegated side to a minor premiership and one win off their first provincial title in 11 years.
But he revealed today he almost didn't take the job.
"I had a very special friend that told me to come and do this job - Dylan Mika," he said.
"This was a job that almost everyone told me not to do but he helped me, he helped me to actually give me the confidence to talk to the right people."
Ieremia, a 30-Test All Black, said he hoped Mika appreciated the province was beginning to "look after its own backyard" again and groom talent in the region.
But he also said Mika and a couple others would love to see Auckland deny Canterbury their 10th title.
"Tell you what, it would be a hell of a party up there with Dylan and Jonah (Lomu) and Jerry (Collins).
"I hope so and know so that they will be very happy and proud of what we've done."
Auckland and Canterbury square off for the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership at Eden Park on Saturday at 4pm.
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