In-charge Auckland on path to Eden

North Harbour's Nick Williams crunches over for a try in the 28-18 win over Otago at Albany yesterday. Phil Walter / Getty Images

Auckland are exactly where they want to be in the national championship: out in front and with their destiny in their own hands.

A combination of their back-from-the-dead 22-all draw with Waikato and Wellington's thrilling 26-24 win over Canterbury yesterday means Auckland can see a path to the Air New Zealand Cup final with all their knockout games on Eden Park.

And they'll have their internationals drifting back from this week when they host Otago on Saturday night. The first contingent of All Blacks are all backs - wing Joe Rokocoko, second five-eighth and captain Sam Tuitupou and young utility Isaia Toeava - with hooker Keven Mealamu, lock Ali Williams and wing Doug Howlett due to turn up next week.

That means Auckland, having recovered from a halftime 0-19 deficit against Waikato, will go from scouring their younger brigade, who did them proud on Saturday night, to having a plethora of options, especially with the injured Tasesa Lavea and Isa Nacewa expected to be fit to resume this week.

Some of Auckland's backline on Saturday are still more familiar with school exams than rugby examinations. Two of those, first five-eighth Lachie Munro and wing David Smith, played significant roles. Munro's acceleration through gaps and snappy passing overcame two early boo boos, which cost tries; Smith continued his progress as perhaps the country's most exciting wing with a sizzling 60m solo effort.

Prop John Afoa will have scans this week after over-extending his back while lifting in a lineout. He was in pain and on crutches after the game, but was walking more freely yesterday and the early prognosis is encouraging but he is unlikely to be fit to face Otago.

No prizes for picking Waikato's Warren Gatland as the unhappiest coach of the weekend. He felt his team got the rough end of referee Chris Pollock's whistle. The draw means they will need results beyond their control to happen nab top spot.

North Harbour welcome back lock Greg Rawlinson and first five-eighth Luke McAlister for their Ranfurly Shield challenge in Christchurch on Sunday, and will be buoyed by their 28-18 win over Otago at Albany yesterday.

That clap of thunder heard in the capital yesterday shortly after 6pm was not more grubby political revelations but Ma'a Nonu doing what he does best.

He crashed through three tacklers after the final hooter to get himself and his team over the line against Canterbury. Jimmy Gopperth's conversion completed a fine recovery from 16-3 down at one point.

Say what you like about Nonu. Question his offloading ability, wonder whether he can really bridge the gap between perennial All Black bench warmer and a consistently impressive contributor to the national cause, but there's no one better in the country at taking Route One to the tryline.

In these situations, Canterbury can usually be relied on to shut things down, which is what would have been expected of Waikato on Saturday. But both teams got it wrong. In Canterbury's case, they will need to get moving to bag a top-two spot.

The top four teams get home quarter-finals. Top-two means teams not only draw a repechage qualifier in the last eight, but will host semifinals. The top qualifier, if they play their cards right, get the final. And that's where Auckland come in.