KEY POINTS:
Auckland versus Otago used to be one of the premier fixtures of the national rugby championship. Not any more.
Otago's demise this season has been as stark as Auckland's return to their traditional roost at the pinnacle of the national game.
There is, of course, a caveat over Auckland's renaissance - the draw so far has kept them apart from Canterbury and Wellington, two fellow heavyweights who could yet prove worthy title contenders.
But there is no asterisk next to Otago's slide into mediocrity.
Auckland coach Pat Lam did his best to talk up a side that reached its sixth championship final as recently as two years ago.
But given seventh-placed Otago's record round one humiliation by Wellington, their home loss to Southland and their draw with Manawatu, it's not easy to take him seriously.
"They have been a bit up and down but they had a good win last week and they are playing better now than they were at the start of the year," said Lam, somehow keeping a straight face.
That "good win" was over North Harbour, a side whose demise has surpassed even Otago's.
"There are still quality players in [the Otago] side," Lam added, presumably referring to captain Tom Donnelly and reserve back Callum Bruce.
Otago's record at Eden Park doesn't do much to inspire hopes of an even contest. The Southerners haven't won in Auckland since 1976.
Not that the game will be without interest.
The belated return of Tasesa Lavea to Auckland's first five-eighths jersey provides an intriguing subplot. A good performance by Lavea, albeit against moderate opposition, would leave Lam with a serious selection poser ahead of next weekend's trip to Canterbury.
