Auckland finally blow Otago away

They had to huff and they had to puff, but sure enough Auckland managed to blow Otago's house down last night and pop the NPC trophy into the cabinet. It's a trophy they just about deserve, not just for the perseverance and composure they showed last night, but for the way they have played all season.

For coach Pat Lam, it has been an astonishing ride, dipping into an abyss from which he never looked like climbing out of last season, to the high of watching his young troops spend most of this season tossing the ball with gay abandon at Eden Park.

Last night wasn't quite as swashbuckling as we have come to expect. To be honest it was cagey stuff until Brad Mika barrelled his way over in the corner with 15 minutes remaining.

Once daylight had crept between the two sides, the champagne football could be uncorked to give what was a quite a miserable crowd an incentive to haul their mates along next season.

For 60 minutes Auckland couldn't quite find the rhythm of last week, primarily because Otago captain Craig Newby made such a nuisance of himself at the breakdown. And also because Otago put up a defensive screen that was as porous as lead.

Auckland's dancing bears Tasesa Lavea, Isa Nacewa and Mils Muliaina dazzled with tricky footwork but there was no parting of the Blue and Gold sea until late on.

It took a well-worked lineout move to break Otago's resistance late in the first half.

There was an element of luck behind Auckland's second try, where Doug Howlett would have had circus scouts in a lather, such was the wonder of his juggling. But no one should really begrudge Auckland a slice of luck.

Lam has confounded some quarters of the rugby community with the style he has employed. Auckland's results, and indeed the silverware they captured last night, suggest it isn't Lam who is out of touch.

Otago have a test-quality front five, who are probably the best in the country when it comes to set pieces. Come the final quarter, though, Auckland ran the legs off them.

While Auckland have played with pace all season, their game plan last night would have been formed with Newby in mind. Newby's critics say he doesn't carry the ball with enough impact. Maybe not, but he makes his presence felt elsewhere and will have every right to throw a wobbly if he misses out on All Black selection today.

So, too, Nick Evans who threw a superb flat pass to give Josh Blackie all the room he needed to score Otago's try.

The pass was one of many telling contributions made by Evans.

His booming right boot had the ball disappearing above the Auckland skyline or rolling into unmanned corners, while his other appendages sweetly flung the pill into the path of high-velocity receivers.

But most importantly he extended the metaphorical middle digit in the direction of those who reckon he's a girls blouse when it comes to defensive chores. Last night he flung himself at Auckland runners with telling purpose.

The night was all about Auckland, however, and their journey back to the top of the provincial tree.

They have unearthed heroes, both acknowledged an unsung. Angus MacDonald and Brad Mika can summer with happy memories, so too Steve Devine.

Isa Nacewa can contemplate more game time at Super 14 next season and Daniel Braid can haul out his test jerseys and tell them they may soon be joined by more chums in the wardrobe.

Auckland 39

(K. Mealamu, D. Howlett, B. Mika, B. Atiga, M. Muliaina, T. Moa tries; B. Ward pens, 2 cons; B. Atiga con).

Otago 11

(J. Blackie tries; N. Evans 2 pens).

- HERALD ON SUNDAY