Rugby: Harbour, Auckland under scrutiny

Their seasons are over, the coaching staff are being assessed.

So how should Auckland and North Harbour's Air New Zealand Cup performances be rated?

Auckland coach Mark Anscombe has just completed the first season of a two-year deal, the verdict expected from the Auckland board around the middle of November.

North Harbour were guided by former All Blacks Craig Dowd and Jeff Wilson who have completed the first of a three-year deal, with standard performance elements part of the arrangement. Wheels are moving on their review which Harbour's chief executive Brett Hollister is expecting by the end of November.

But what of the teams?

Were 5th (Auckland) and 12th (North Harbour) fair reflections of their season's work?

Auckland: Yes, in the sense that even though they came home strongly, they had let themselves down too often in the earlier weeks.

North Harbour: Three teams scored fewer points; three conceded more, so you could argue maybe one spot higher. But they finished four points adrift of the 11th placegetter, Manawatu, so maybe not.

Where did it go wrong in terms of making the semifinals?

Auckland: Right from the start. They went to Napier for round one and got badly beaten up, 47-13, and didn't get a win until the third weekend. Too often they laboured (think losses to North Harbour and Tasman) and the significant improvements when All Blacks Joe Rokocoko, Jerome Kaino and John Afoa were around told their own story. A big rails run, wins in the last four games, served to leave them wondering "what if".

North Harbour: In fairness, they were below the eventual top four in simple rugby terms. But they'll argue that with a reasonable shake of the stick - and playing with an oval shaped ball that's invariably a part of it, to some degree - that things could have been much different. Four games were lost by four or fewer points, three in succession. It might not have made a difference ultimately, but they would have been in the frame much deeper into what transpired was a tight, and therefore engaging championship.

Best performances?

Auckland: The best came last, with a rousing 26-18 win over Waikato, to deny the Mooloos their semifinal tilt. Why then? Perhaps the weight of making the semis being lifted by results the night before freed the players in body and spirit. In which case, coach Mark Anscombe needs to find a way to instill more of that next year.

North Harbour: Two games, for different reasons. Canterbury first up, a yeoman defensive performance at Albany, which was encouraging. Then Bay of Plenty, also at home, up 25-0 at halftime to the semifinal contenders. BOP were rattled early by a couple of key injuries, but Harbour had urgency and accuracy. It just didn't happen nearly often enough.

The worst?

Auckland: A couple of candidates. On balance the 16-14 loss to North Harbour. It ended a three-game winning run but this raised real questions about their capabilities. It left coach Anscombe fuming, questioning his players' rugby savvy.

North Harbour: Hmm. A few options. Hawkes Bay at home (17-34) was ordinary; letting slip a 15-6 advantage early in the second half against Tasman in round two wasn't flash either. But the second half capitulation, from a 16-8 halftime lead, in the final round at Manawatu was the pits. It smelled of jacking it in. No wonder the coaches, Craig Dowd and Jeff Wilson, were, in the words of one onlooker, ropeable.

Who will have caught Super 14 coaches' eyes?

Auckland:> Auckland's impressive captain Benson Stanley, improved as the season progressed and was outstanding in the win over Waikato. His robust defence had the ring of "follow me men" about it. Loose forwards Peter Saili and Onosai Auva'a did plenty of good work too.

North Harbour: Lock James King was consistently effective, strong at the lineout, with a good engine and deceptive pace in the loose. If he doesn't get a Super 14 deal somewhere, there must be a mountain of truly exceptional locks about. Which there aren't. Openside flanker Tom Chamberlain, when fit, and wing Rudi Wulf were consistently good value.