It's elementary for the rampant Juniors

Fiji 17 Junior All Blacks 35

It's of some interest that the Junior All Blacks won the opening game of the Pacific Five Nations. It is of far more interest that Nick Williams, Cameron McIntyre, Jamie Nutbrown and Niva Ta'auso played well enough to push their chances of going up to the next level.

That's the thing with 'A' teams, previously known as 'B' teams and currently going by the title Junior team. They are never really about the collective. The result usually carries the feel of a meaningless statistic - like possession or territory.

The side is in existence to give the All Black selectors a better feel for who might be able to cope with full-blooded test football.

Blues No 8 Williams will certainly have an asterisk next to his name after yesterday's hit out in Suva, indicating he is one to keep a close eye on.

He was a little erratic during the Super 14 but showed immense power against Fiji, especially when somehow managing to get himself over the line after picking up from a five-yard scrum.

Williams didn't hesitate or think too hard about using Anthony Tuitavake on his right. He picked up with minimum fuss and charged through a mass of white shirts, pumped his legs and then twisted at the vital time to plonk the ball down and give the Junior All Blacks an 8-7 lead after 15 minutes.

And it was a lead they never relinquished, primarily because the Junior All Black forwards dominated the breakdown, while Fiji were guilty of too many infringements.

With plenty of protection, halfback Jamie Nutbrown continued his renaissance and made some telling breaks. It was his option taking that impressed most, though, as he mixed things up with a variety of passes.

Clearly Nutbrown was badly hurt by Canterbury's decision to dump him last year. He had waited two years to get his big break and then just when he thought the stage had been set for him after Justin Marshall departed, Canterbury whipped out the chequebook and bought Kevin Senio.

Nutbrown headed the other way to Bay of Plenty and the Chiefs and, rather than sulk about his bad luck, has gone about making his former province feel a little silly about ever letting him go.

Interestingly, another Cantabrian on the outer made a serious impression. McIntyre was drafted over to the Highlanders last season and doesn't get much of a look in when Daniel Carter and Aaron Mauger are around.

But just like Nutbrown, he took his chance yesterday, memorably opting to pass to Ta'auso on his goal line rather then kick. The Chiefs centre and Williams exchanged passes, up the right flank Caleb Ralph took it on before setting up a ruck and then quick hands from Steven Bates left McIntyre virtually unmarked to stroll under the sticks.

It was a classic try and McIntyre looked assured whenever in possession. As did Ta'auso, who is probably the best centre in New Zealand at getting the ball away in contact.

He's a bit like Ma'a Nonu in his ability to challenge defenders and break the initial tackle. But he is definitely not like Nonu when it comes to deciding what to do after he has made the break.

Yesterday he was always looking for support and knew when to pass and when to hold on. Having been plagued by injury for much of this year he faded early in the second half.

But Ta'auso has the relevant skills to push himself into contention for a test jersey.

As good as McIntyre's try was, it couldn't stake a claim to be the highlight of the match. That came after 75 minutes when Rupeni Caucaunibuca popped up in midfield, blasted through the defence and then cruised around Sosene Anesi, the fastest man in New Zealand rugby, as if he was an oversized kitchen appliance.

It was vintage Rupeni and even more remarkable for the fact that the former Blues wing appeared to be carrying at least 5kg of extra weight around his midrift. It might actually have been more than 5kg.

But that merely highlights the incredible ability of a player the All Blacks would dearly have loved to have secured.

Back in 2003, Caucau was caught in a tug-of-war for his services, with the All Blacks super keen to persuade him to turn his back on Fiji.

The winger eventually committed to his country of birth and went to the World Cup later that year and scored two sensational tries.

If he had said yes to New Zealand, he would have qualified for the All Blacks on residency last year. With Rupeni on one wing and either Joe Rokocoko, Sitiveni Sivivatu or Rico Gear on the other, teams would already be wondering if there was any point in turning up to the World Cup next year.

Fiji 17 (Aca Ratuva, Rupeni Caucaunibuca tries; Seremaia Bai pen, 2 cons).
Junior All Blacks 35 (Nick Williams, Josh Blackie, Cameron McIntyre, Johnny Leo'o tries; Stephen Donald 2 pens, con, McIntyre pen, 2 cons.
HT: 13-10.