Auckland fancied for strong NPC start

By CHRIS RATTUE

Southland's NPC side could never be described as full of butchers, bakers and candlestick-makers.

Professional rugby has managed to stretch its tentacles into the deep south.

As Southland team manager Murray Heath says: "We've probably got as many full-time players as those who have other jobs.

"But there are still a few plumbers and other part-time workers in our team."

Southland were last night still deciding between a worldly-wise professional or a part-timer at first five-eighths for their opening NPC match, against Auckland at Eden Park tonight.

The candidates are Earl Va'a and Ashley Barron - players of vastly different backgrounds and styles.

Va'a, a 29-year-old Wellington-born Samoan international, has popped up around the globe in union and league during his career. If the weather holds, Southland coach Leicester Rutledge is likely to stick with the running ability of Va'a, whose last assignment was in English club rugby.

Barron, a New Zealand under-19 representative four years ago, has played for Manawatu on loan from Otago in the second division, but his season last year was wrecked by a smashed eye socket.

Barron, a part-time teacher who transferred to Southland last year, is regarded as having the better tactical game for wet weather.

Opposing Va'a or Barron will be Carlos Spencer, whose career hangs in the balance in many ways. This NPC campaign will probably not determine whether he returns to the All Blacks, but it is a significant starting point for maybe the most gifted ball-player of his generation.

Next year's Super 12 will be the real test of Spencer's future, but he has more than a few points to prove in this NPC.

Auckland are hopeful that wing Joeli Vidiri will overcome a leg injury to play, but veteran lock Robin Brooke - who will bow out of big-time rugby at the end of this competition - is in doubt because of an elbow injury.

The opening round of a competition always has a mystery to it and while Southland are heavy underdogs, you just never know. But of tonight's three opening matches, it looks the easiest result to predict.

Two contrasting types of rugby lurk further south.

Rain is predicted in New Plymouth, where the hearts-and-souls of Taranaki and Northland will lock horns.

Taranaki have loaded up the power in their forwards - now there's a surprise - by playing Paul Tito at blindside flank and leaving their tearaway sevens expert flanker Chris Masoe on the bench.

Super 12 lock Tito has played at loose forward in club rugby but never in amber-and-black.

His selection at blindside says plenty about how Taranaki intend playing this game, the likely conditions, and the respect they hold for the Northland pack.

It shapes as a great battle in the forwards, where neither side are often bettered.

At Carisbrook, Otago will attempt to make a winning start minus 13 top players due to injuries and the loss of their All Blacks.

Opponents North Harbour have placed their faith in some old hands like Frano Botica, while the old stager with maybe the greatest influence on Otago's fortunes will be sitting in the stands.

Coach Laurie Mains has already imported his Cats prop Marius Mostert and recalled three-quarter Roy Hawker, who was on loan to Southland. Is it a sign of nerves, or part of a Mains masterplan?

The Otago backline have looked shaky in recent times when their All Blacks are away, and that is the area where North Harbour will want to strike in this competition.

"It was almost last man standing in the back three," said Mains, referring to his reshuffled outside backs.

We have yet to see what Mains will produce with the province from where he made, then coached, the All Blacks.

It does shape as a wonderful opportunity for North Harbour to grab some crucial away points.