Auckland's great depth drains Bay

Doug Howlett breaches the Bay defence before being forced off with a knee injury that will keep him out for a month. Phil Walter / Getty Images

Auckland 46 Bay of Plenty 14

It was a case of sweet and sour for Auckland last night - the sweet coming from the scoreboard, the sour from a bench that after 50 minutes was harbouring three crocked All Blacks.

But the sight of Ali Williams, Doug Howlett and Isaia Toeava limping off was perhaps felt more acutely by the All Black selectors than Auckland coach Pat Lam.

The early indications are that Howlett has incurred a grade two medial ligament injury to his knee and will be out for four to five weeks, making him a doubtful All Black tourist. Williams was having his neck scanned with no one yet sure of the damage, while Toeava has deep bruising in his thigh.

Auckland, though, can live happily enough without their big guns. Very happily in fact judging by the way the home side produced their best spells in the second half.

Kurtis Haiu came on for Williams and got through a big aerial shift as well as covering half the pitch to chop down Tanerau Latimer after the Bay flanker escaped down the left flank. David Smith was his usual whiz of activity and Isa Nacewa slipped in at fullback and ran and tackled as if he had been told he would be in really big trouble if he didn't.

And that gave the Bay no chance. They were brave, committed and at times enterprising but what can you do against a side loaded with so much more firepower?

It's not exactly fair when All Blacks disappear only to be replaced by guys who are every bit as effective. Which was not only a problem for the Bay.

Auckland coach Pat Lam faces a week of quandaries. So many options and only 22 places.

There are a few certainties who he just won't be able to look past. Brad Mika had another thunderous game where he charged around exactly like the loose forward he aspires to be.

The attending Steve Hansen must have been impressed by Mika's work rate, mobility and dexterity in continually popping passes out of contact.

Lam said of Mika: "We put him down to the Crusaders at 123kg and got him back at 135kg which was really disappointing. But we have worked him really hard and he's back down to 123kg and has played really well every week. He is a back in a forward's body."

Also on Lam's non-negotiable list is Joe Rokocoko, who has rediscovered his appetite for lower grade football. In recent seasons, the 23-year-old wing has given the impression he's exclusively a big game player.

He went a long way to shaking that tag last night, proving emphatically that he has the professionalism to get himself wound up in a provincial jersey. His work rate was beyond question, he popped up on both flanks and was also used to telling effect attacking the channel outside centre.

Having to cope with the power of Mika, Rokocoko, Sam Tuitupou, Keven Mealamu and Saimone Taumoepeau drained the Bay. When it's tackle, tackle, tackle like that, the white flag usually appears in the final quarter.

To their credit, the visitors stuck in as best they could but when the game is played at that pace and the support running is as good as Auckland's, it's a thankless task. The holes will appear at some stage.

Despite being run a little ragged towards the end, Bay of Plenty coach Andre Bell is not convinced Auckland can go all the way.

"I think it could be difficult because they don't have a Plan B. To their credit, they back what their plan is. They are a patient side, a team that go from side to side. They may not make the initial line-break but seven or eight phases down the track, they will make the offload. If they believe in what they do, it may go well."

It will probably go even better if Harbour win today to earn a semifinal at Eden Park. If Otago win, then Wellington are the opponents and it won't be just Auckland's belief that will be tested, it will be their courage, too, as Ma'a Nonu, Jerry Collins and Neemia Tialata will not back down for a second.

Auckland 46 (D. Howlett, J. Kaino, B. Mika, J. Rokocoko, C. Heard, K. Haiu tries; B. Atiga 3 cons, 2 pens; I. Nacewa 2 cons)
Bay of Plenty 14 (C. Aporo, J. Nutbrown tries; M. Williams 2 cons)