Exhilarating contest promised for final

The boom heard in Hamilton shortly after 7.35 tonight will be the opening collision in what should be a fitting conclusion to the domestic rugby year.

Neither Waikato nor Wellington are scrapping for the inaugural Air New Zealand Cup title by a fluke, and together they hold the promise of a rumbustious, exhilarating contest.

Both teams can point to elements of strength, which is to be expected as they have proved themselves conclusively the best teams at the only time of the season that really counts, if in different ways.

In racing terms, this season Waikato have been frontrunners; Wellington, hot and cold early on, have roared home with a compelling rails run.

Wellington have a mix of muscularity and craft in their midfield and will hope to cash in on Ma'a Nonu's crash-bang ball running.

Cory Jane is one of the form wings in the country and then there's halfback Piri Weepu's resourcefulness, the hard men of the pack and the most successful lineout snafflers in the championship in Luke Andrews and Ross Filipo.

If tighthead prop Neemia Tialata overcomes his calf injury and can maintain his effectiveness of recent weeks, Wellington's hopes will rise.

Waikato, chasing their first national title since 1992, will bring their rapid defence line, an outstanding loose forward quartet - with Liam Messam perhaps the most effective replacement in the country - experienced locks, Jono Gibbes and Keith Robinson, both experiencing a resurgence this season, one re-invigorated without having the captaincy to concern himself with; the other just happy to be back doing what he loves after two grim years on the sideline.

They possess backs capable of brilliance in Sitiveni Sivivatu and Richard Kahui, and a couple of players who know what it takes to win national titles in Mils Muliaina and Byron Kelleher, their only past winners.

It is a contest likely to be decided by small margins in key areas, but within a hefty collision of bodies.

Waikato have talked about being ground down by the intensity of Wellington or Hurricanes teams in the past. That's why they wonder if their 37-21 win over Wellington, when they more than matched their aggression, might come to be seen as a benchmark.

Gibbes has spoken of the brute force element of Wellington's forward work. As he cryptically put it, "Jerry [Collins] and Rodders [So'oialo] don't try and run round you much".

If Waikato win, it will be without a current All Black in their pack. Tomorrow as many as four could be named for the trip to Britain and France."There's a lot of motivation," Waikato coach Warren Gatland said yesterday. "We still feel our players have to fight really hard for any reward and recognition they get."

One factor which has helped Waikato this season is the regularity of selection. Only Kelleher, Muliaina and Sivivatu were missing for any length of time.

Wellington lost four of their first choice pack - Collins, So'oialo, Chris Masoe and Andrew Hore - but they've returned with a vengeance.

It's an ideal conclusion to Wellington coach John Plumtree's time in the capital before he heads off as assistant coach at the Sharks in next year's Super 14. It is Waikato back David Hill's finale before heading to Bristol. Only one will leave happy tonight.

"We've got a strategy in place and it's quite a relief for a coach that it's all over," Plumtree said.

"All the work's done and the players understand. Now the exciting bit is about to happen."

Sentiments Gatland would no doubt echo.