KEY POINTS:
Shane Howarth evidently doesn't do praise by halves.
After extolling the virtues of his first five-eighths Isa Nacewa, Auckland's assistant coach argued for Taniela Moa's progression to higher honours.
While Nacewa's versatility has undeniably been a trump card throughout Auckland's unbeaten march to tonight's Air NZ Cup final against Wellington, according to Howarth, Moa's worth cannot be undervalued.
The Tongan-born halfback has proved to be a reliable link between a dominant pack and an expressive backline, and the conduit allowing Nacewa to run the show, particularly over the past fortnight.
Moa has Steve Devine's history of head knocks to thank for his promotion to the No 1 spot and an end-of-season matchup with spurned All Black Piri Weepu.
Moa's ability is no surprise to Howarth, who has had the quietly spoken 22-year-old in the province's elite squad since 2005.
Devine, an All Black at the 2003 World Cup, had relegated Moa to the bench for much of that time but even if the Australian had not suffered one concussion too many against Counties-Manukau in round one, Howarth expected Moa to push hard for the run-on jersey.
"He was going to have a huge scrap with Stevie and it's just unfortunate what's happened," Howarth said of Devine's enforced retirement.
"But Nella has taken his chance. He's got to be knocking on the door for higher honours - not just Super 14. He's got to be pushing higher up, he's been outstanding for us."
Moa played 11 games last season, including four starts, and also tallied handy minutes with the Blues in the Super 14 when David Gibson was injured.
"I'd already started a few games so this was just another opportunity," he said.
"It's good with Isa, Sam [Tuitupou] and Brad Mika out there, they help me out a lot."
Devine also floats around the training sessions offering pointers.
"He also comes into the changing room and gives me a few tips."
Born in Tonga, Moa moved to Auckland as a 12-year-old and modelled himself on wingers such as Jonah Lomu when he was growing up. However, he is now at home at halfback.
With the building blocks of his game already established, Howarth said, much of Moa's development had been off the park, in the team room in the buildup to the weekend.
"With Nella it's been more about working off the field. He's a very quiet, shy guy but he's starting to come out and talk in team meetings.
"On the field the boys have said he's bloody loud which is great. That's what halfback's about."
Ironically, the student is also a teacher of sorts, although Moa was characteristically muted when asked whether he was also helping 19-year-old understudy Grayson Hart.
"Nella's teaching a 19-year-old about the rugby. It's quite strange," said Howarth.
- NZPA
