Spencer and Mehrtens in final showdown

By DYLAN CLEAVER

Like two old gunslingers in a B-grade western, Carlos Spencer and Andrew Mehrtens were wheeled out for one last shoot-out last night. But like a director with an ageing lead, All Black coach Graham Henry must now appreciate the need for new talent at No 10.

It might not be the last time Mehrtens and Spencer face each other across the advantage line, but it almost certainly will be while they're still somewhere near the top of their games.

The minds are still sharp, but neither are seemingly able to impose their personalities on the game they have graced for a decade.

Last night Spencer could probably claim a points victory, but Mehrtens left with the spoils as Auckland limped out of the NPC with another tepid display.

Canterbury, though, look odds on for a semifinal spot as they host woeful Northland in the final round robin match. Auckland are left with a match of interest only to anoraks against Otago.

Mehrtens moved the ball nicely through the hands and probed with his kicks without looking like dominating, while Spencer looked for answers to complex defensive questions largely through his boot.

Spencer wound back the clock a little in a frenetic last 10 minutes when he made a typically darting run for a try, but Scott Hamilton's reply rendered it academic.

Spencer seems a reluctant end-of-season tourist and Mehrtens has been out more than in over the past two seasons, which leaves Henry with the eternal question: Who?

At least he had the comfort of watching heir apparent Dan Carter playing closer in to the action at No 12 than he has been of late. Aaron Mauger, another possibility, was originally named at second five but didn't make the trip as he awaits the birth of his first child.

In the normal course of events, this would have been a late-season jostle for bragging rights within the safety of the top four. But the NPC of the past couple of years has specialised in the abnormal.

So, instead, this game carried more sinister overtones for the losers _ almost unbelievable given the 22 internationals on display.

The only sparks were generated by the occasional stoush, most notably between Spencer and Chris Jack for which both were sin-binned, and the eerie sight of Carter missing a couple of simple kicks.

The second half was more compelling, if only to watch Auckland's desperation as the defence of their title slipped from their grasp before the business end of the NPC begins.

Tries to Casey Laulala and Brad Thorn seemed to make it safe for the Cantabs, before Spencer's late, but ultimately futile, intervention.

Canterbury 28 (C Laulala B Thorn S Hamilton tries, D Carter 3 pen 2 con).

Auckland 20 (B Atiga C Spencer tries, B Ward 2 pen con Atiga con).

Half-time: 10-9.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY

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