KEY POINTS:
Nick White thought he'd seen it all.
But the extreme close-up view he got of Auckland's pack back-peddling in the face of a fired-up Counties Manukau in round one of the national championship was something new.
It was enough of an eye-opener for White, the versatile front rower who will tonight come off the bench against Canterbury to bring up his 100th provincial appearance, to think seriously about giving the game away.
White is one of the great blokes of New Zealand Rugby and a dying breed. These days most players go overseas before racking up 100 games.
That fact hasn't been lost on White as he casts his eye over the fresh faces in this year's Auckland squad. These days his role is largely as a Mister Fixit, a spot starter or a calm head off the bench to close a game out.
But the 34-year-old who still plays more for the love of the game than any financial reward has been wondering if his time is up.
"I've re-signed for another year but obviously I've got to get picked," he said. "I've got to take it one game at a time. I didn't play too flash against Counties, so I'm lucky to be here.
"I still enjoy it but obviously a lot of my mates have gone from here over the last couple of years. It's a little bit different with a whole new crowd.
"It's like me being in form seven and them starting off their first year in school. It's pretty crazy when you think of it like that. But it's good. There's a lot of enthusiasm and they are keen to rip into it."
Auckland bounced back against Taranaki last week, but White knows a match against Canterbury in Christchurch is a whole new ball game.
He will certainly be impressing on his rookie teammates the importance of fronting against the old enemy.
"They are the sort of games you are judged on. If you can handle that pressure you can maybe take the next step up to Super 14."
Another old school provincial player, Canterbury coach Rob Penney, is wary of the Auckland threat regardless of their experience deficit. "I thought it was pretty brutal, actually," Penney said of Auckland's victory over Taranaki. "They showed a lot of control and dominated possession."
Canterbury would seem to have an edge up front but Penney said adaptability rather than a route-one approach would be the key to victory.
"With Auckland you've always got play what is in front of you. You can't guarantee they are going to attack or defend in a certain way. They have so much flair and ability to cut you up from any point on the track."
Winless North Harbour aims to get firing against Bay of Plenty in Mt Maunganui in the 2.35pm kick off.
