Typical modesty marks Howlett's response to memorable milestone
KEY POINTS:
TOULOUSE - There was a dignified mention on Doug Howlett's website about his new status as the All Blacks highest test try-scorer. No surprise there from someone who has gone about his business in a restrained manner.
Predictably, he spoke about the World Cup work still to be done and the lift needed from the team after he surpassed Christian Cullen's record against Scotland.
Touche Doug, there was a lot of messy work at Murrayfield which has to be eradicated before a quarter-final.
But praise should go to Howlett who has made the most of his ability, been an assiduous trainer and diligent professional in his seven years with the All Blacks.
He has not been blessed with some of the natural skills of other wings but he has added a range of expertise to his speed and become a very complete and reliable wing. In the last few seasons, Howlett's attitude has been one of his best weapons.
He has lifted his workrate, added some sting to his defence and played with his head up around the park. With 48 tries from his 61 tests, he has surged ahead of Cullen who claimed 46 tries in 57 internationals.
There will be those who will point to Cullen's greater hit rate against the Springboks and Wallabies as proof he was a more dangerous scorer. Cullen was freakish but he also embellished his tally with some hauls against inferior sides.
That debate is not worth pursuing. Fullback against wing, different eras.
But you wonder where Howlett would fit in the list of great wings the All Blacks have provided in the last 15 years or so.
He was right up there with his speed, the sort of pace which made him an athletics champion at school and which allowed him to convert chances when given an overlap.
As someone who could win matches on his own, Jonah Lomu was the most dangerous in a collection of recent All Black wings. His presence at the 1995 World Cup, his single-handed demolition of the Wallabies in Sydney later that year against classy defenders like Tim Horan, Jason Little and others was astounding.
The pioneer of the power-wing game, John Kirwan, was also a superb athlete, a great competitor and a massive contributor. Va'aiga Tuigamala was another power player who could trample opponents but who could lose concentration and probably came to his peak after he switched codes.
John Timu was a marvellously gifted player who could also adapt his game to fullback. His swerve was potent and he was accurate on defence.
Tana Umaga and Jeff Wilson were contrasting wings. Umaga all hustle and action who liked to work in close off rucks and mauls where his strength and offloads made him so dangerous, while Wilson danced along the right touchline with his change of pace, chip kicks and real speed.
The modern duo of Joe Rokocoko and Sitiveni Sivivatu have been brilliant and bad. Lack of consistency is their enemy but some of their moves are a mix of power and subtlety.
A wing who was a prototype for Howlett was Terry Wright, the man described as the two iron with ears, who could scoot at high speed and had the nous to defeat much bigger rivals with his rugby savvy. Like Howlett he made up for some of his physical deficiencies with hard work, a professional attitude and a brain which looked at the whole field.
Howlett may not be quite in the top echelon but he has a record to be applauded.
