KEY POINTS:
Isa Nacewa was too intent on getting his forehead stitched up to reflect on his impact on the provincial rugby final.
But his teammates were in no doubt he was the glue that held Auckland on course for their unbeaten march through the Air NZ Cup, a campaign that culminated in a 23-14 defeat of Wellington in the final on Saturday night.
The classy utility back left Eden Park swathed in bandages but it was he who inflicted the real damage on Wellington, who yet again came up short in a final.
Nacewa was responsible for 18 of Auckland's points - and arguably none were more important than the 45m penalty he cooly slotted nine minutes from fulltime while Troy Flavell was in the sinbin.
When the flags were raised Auckland's margin extended to an insurmountable nine points, a buffer the 16-time provincial champions were never going to let slip.
Apart from his late show of composure, Nacewa directed play with his usual efficiency, scored one try and two sideline conversions before three second-half penalties enabled Auckland to withstand a Wellington resurgence.
A reluctant first five-eighth who prefers to play at fullback, Nacewa drew rich praise from Auckland No 15 Brent Ward.
"He's an absolute freak, an inspiration to the team. We probably couldn't have gone through unbeaten without him," gushed Ward, one of a dozen Auckland players leaving the province on a high.
"He's my favourite player, every week I tell him he's a super star. No one else in this team would have nailed that kick under that pressure.
"He's world class, he can play any position in the backline - I'd love to see him have a go at halfback," said Ward, who happily handed Nacewa the goalkicking responsibilities this season.
Although the Auckland side were joyous at the end of an all conquering 13-match season, Ward still had time to lament that Nacewa would not add an All Blacks jersey to the Blues and Auckland shirts in his wardrobe.
Ineligible for New Zealand after making a brief cameo appearance for Fiji against Scotland at the last World Cup, Nacewa is condemned to ply his trade on the Super 14 stage and domestic scene after making himself unavailable for his parent's homeland.
"Two minutes for Fiji ... it's unfortunate, he's an All Black in my eyes," Ward said.
"You can't take it away from the rest of the guys in the squad but that guy is one of the reasons we've gone through unbeaten.
"We wouldn't have won the (Ranfurly) Shield, we wouldn't have won (last night) ...
"When Isa nailed that penalty from 45 metres on the angle, I knew we had it in the bag."
Ironically, Ward's departure for French second division club Paris Racing Metro - subject to visa confirmation - will see Nacewa return to his preferred spot at fullback next season given All Blacks No 10 Nick Evans is also drifting north for the Super 14 and Auckland.
Nacewa, 25, was pressed ganged into the Blues No 10 jersey by coach David Nucifora this year after Luke McAlister was injured.
Apart from blooming in the role he quickly showed his calmness under pressure in the goalkicking role.
Openside flanker Daniel Braid equated last night's key penalty with the injury-time sideline conversion Nacewa struck at Canberra to beat the Brumbies 17-15 in February.
"It felt just like that sideline kick when we got that penalty," Braid said.
"He does a lot of work on his kicking. After Canberra I was pretty confident he'd give us the extra buffer."
NZPA
