Off like Lams to the slaughter

By WYNNE GRAY

Rugby's recidivists are at it again.

Many thought it implausible that Auckland, with such a torrent of possession, could lose last week against North Harbour. But they reproduced that NPC expertise on Saturday with a 21-27 loss against Wellington.

Smoke and mirrors have accompanied Auckland's work this season, and both were in full mode in the capital. Reflections show the tight five did the business again, while the haze descended over the loose forwards and backline.

The defence was unable to stop two Wellington lineout takes and surges for tries, although there was a similar Auckland reply for a try to Jerome Kaino.

Individuals like Mils Muliaina created space but there was little pattern for his team-mates to latch on to. Singular forays foundered against the surly Wellington defence.

Moves were infrequent and it was criminal that the attacking talents of Joe Rokocoko and Ben Atiga were not promoted.

There was a lift in the second half and Auckland could have snatched victory after the siren. They nearly went the length of the field, helped by referee Paul Honiss' four penalty advantages, until Wellington gratefully sacked a maul.

For most of the match, Auckland seemed caught between a mixture of styles. They kicked for territory, they had solo bursts, they even developed lengthy phases towards the end but too much was lateral continuity.

And Wellington had the passion at the breakdown, winning vital turnovers.

One steal was especially decisive.

Late in the first half as Auckland, 6-10 adrift, rumbled towards the Wellington line, the locals nicked the ball.

Some 90m later, Lome Fa'atau touched down and Auckland's chance of scraping to a halftime lead had withered to a 6-17 deficit.

After the shocks of the opening four rounds, the Cake Tin was not the time or place for regrets. But that will be the overriding sentiment for the defending champions.

Only a fusion of upset results and a remarkable turnaround in their own form will get Auckland into the NPC playoffs this season.

Auckland were hampered by gastric flu during the week - although two victims, captain Xavier Rush and Daniel Braid, eventually played - while halfback David Gibson and first five-eighths Carlos Spencer withdrew late through injury.

But Auckland knew before this NPC campaign they would need wider resources because of the absences of their test players.

Equally, Wellington could point to their lack of "recognised" players and the early loss of Ma'a Nonu to a thumb injury.

Once again, this result was a triumph for a team performance against a collection of individuals.

And how familiar does that sound for Auckland this season, no matter who they put out in the blue and white hoops?

They have some magnificent ball players but remain a side unable to develop a concerted, patterned base to advance those qualities. Grafters are thin on the ground.

Rush tried on Saturday but you suspect he was down on energy while the frustrations of hooker Keven Mealamu were also evident. To watch the glut of ball wasted by poor choices or a lack of basic passing and support skills must also be galling for the rookie coaching staff.

It must be hard to follow Orene Ai'i, for all his brilliance, as a halfback when he has to control the tempo of matches, while Tasesa Lavea has not yet gelled with Sam Tuitupou.

Sione Lauaki may have starred in the Super 12 and the Pacific Islanders tour but he is off the pace in the NPC.

Coach Pat Lam has defended Lauaki's repeated selection, but his workrate and tackling remain patchy, his lines on attack sloppy. Workers like the repaired Justin Collins or Angus Macdonald need to be reintroduced.

There will also be hope today that medical tests on Spencer's knee and Gibson's wrenched neck will clear the duo for the next inquest from Taranaki at Eden Park on Saturday.

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