Lee Stensness: Cup, like raw talent, needs time to shine

The Air New Zealand Cup or the "NPC", as most people still seem to call it, has taken a lot of criticism in recent weeks. This seems to occur every year during the early rounds, although it must be said that the criticism is more vitriolic this year.

Factors such as no current All Blacks playing, matches that are foregone conclusions, comparison with the NRL which is in finals mode and teams still settling into their rhythm, have had the cumulative effect of giving people the impression that it is all doom and gloom in the Air NZ Cup when it is not.

In fact, things are about to pick up dramatically, as they do every year. All Blacks will start to filter back, the pooling of teams into top six and repechages mean there will be even matches with finals implications, teams will have more cohesion and the weather will get better - all of which will help the quality of the rugby and the morale of the audience.

Criticisms aside, this year's competition has already added value to New Zealand rugby in that it has uncovered some stars of the future.

Players such as Steven Brett and Kieran Read have had extended runs in the Canterbury side which they would not have had if the All Blacks were available, and have stood out.

Brett is a real talent and reminiscent of Dan Carter in that he possesses a wide range of skills, pace and an eye for an opportunity, whilst Read looks like a modern version of Todd Blackadder, accurate, committed and dynamic - well, more dynamic than faithful ol' Toddy, hence the "modern".

Others such as George Pisi of North Harbour and Richard Kahui of Waikato who have played at this level or Super 14 before but are still very young are showing that they have matured as players and are now making a real impact on matches they play in.

Raw talents like Adam Thompson from Otago, Israel Dagg from Hawkes Bay, Nick Crosswell from Manawatu and David Smith from Auckland play in a refreshingly unencumbered manner as is the way of players not yet ground down by pressure and structure.

Another player who catches the eye is the Manawatu fullback Francisco Bosch - he is an Argentinian and as such plays in a slightly chaotic manner which again brings colour and variety to the matches he is in.

Overall, the standard of play in the new competition has room for improvement but, as in all competitions, players and teams build into it as they go. However, already the Air New Zealand Cup has fulfilled part of its role in NZ rugby in that it has uncovered some rough diamonds that may become real gems.