Rugby: Auckland get off to a flyer

By Wynne Gray

Auckland delivered the fast start and NPC warnings when they opened the 1999 competition last night with an emphatic victory against Wellington.

If they continue the strong defence and the razzle-dazzle attack in the next few rounds Auckland may lose more than a few players to the World Cup.

It would be a compliment for new coaches Wayne Pivac and Grant Fox who had the side primed last night at Eden Park.

After the ordinary rugby from Auckland last season, the opening hit-out for 1999 was a spectacular contrast. From frontrow to fullback, Auckland played smart rugby, varying their tactics cleverly through brawn and brains.

They settled on the basics all game but when the chance of breakouts or attack came, Auckland scarcely missed a beat.

Caleb Ralph, Doug Howlett, Iliesa Tanivula and Carlos Spencer were imaginative and clinical attackers while never neglecting their backline defence.

And the frontrow power and robust skills of Xavier Rush, Michael Jones and Finau Maka were far too powerful for Wellington.

It is far too early to crack open the championship champagne yet in Auckland but last night was surely a reason to celebrate the return of a vibrant, exciting, compelling team after a couple of doleful seasons.

For much of the match Wellington were second rate.

There were some ominous signs for the visitors in the first scrum when they were shunted back. And if their control was not the best for the scrums, it was even worse in the first half at the breakdowns when they turned over possession regularly.

On attack it was the regular routine from Wellington, the muscular battering-ram approach from big forwards which died against the sure defence of Auckland.

Auckland began with a few wobbles too and conceded the first points when David Holwell snaked a 42m penalty kick over.

His opposite Spencer began with a few untidy touchfinders and a couple of missed goalkicks until he and Auckland began to click.

Eroni Clarke was held up over the line before Xavier Rush burst out of a maul following a lineout drive to score in the 27th minute. Two minutes later Auckland were in again after another Rush surge downfield, a ruck and wing Iliesa Tanivula re-gathering a Spencer chip kick and sweet bounce.

The scoring burst continued when Auckland tapped a penalty, set the breakdown and Craig Innes swung a smart wide cutout pass to Howlett scything through on an untouched run from fullback. The confidence was coming back for Auckland.

It got better after the break with several moves of dazzling flair. Tanivula had his second with an imitation Fijian firewalking journey down the touchline past a couple of defenders, Spencer backed up his monstrous pass right across the field to captain Paul Thomson to score by the posts and Ralph crowned the evening with two classic moments.

His pace got him round the defence near his 22 and when he was cut down his pass found centre Eroni Clarke for one of the most popular moments of a joyous evening. Not to be outdone, Spencer weaved out of Auckland's 22 and put Ralph away for the final touchdown. It was a great start.

Auckland 45 (I Tanivula 2, Ralph, Clarke, Spencer, X Rush, D Howlett, tries; Spencer 4 con, Ralph con.) Wellington 6 (D. Holwell 2 pen). HT: Auckland 19-6.