KEY POINTS:
Halfbacks have been an endangered species in the Auckland region of late but strangely enough a Moa continues to thrive.
Taniela Moa will be out to underline his impressive early season form for Auckland tomorrow night when he again starts in place of the injured Steve Devine.
Moa was a standout off the bench against Counties Manukau in round one and was again impressive as a starter against Bay of Plenty last weekend.
Talking to the man himself might be a bit like having a conversation with Stevie Wonder - he tends to smile and look skyward a lot without saying much - but it's hard not to be a fan of his Cinderella story rise to prominence.
Moa wasn't exactly tipped for the big time. Raised in part by a grandmother who strictly enforced a "no play on Sundays" rule, the Tongan-born halfback found himself unable to compete for places on representative teams.
"The trials were always on a Sunday," he said.
It wasn't until his grandmother passed away and he opted out of the Sundays rule that Moa began to catch the eye. Even then, his was the path less travelled.
Forget about the flash school to Ponsonby/Grammar Carlton to Auckland route. Moa played his first rugby game as a 12-year-old for Te Papapa Onehunga and the club's only ever Auckland rep is still at the club.
"I watch the games every week and go to trainings and help them out. I love the club, the boys there are my brothers."
Injuries to the likes of David Gibson and Devine helped Moa break into the Blues this season and he's hoping a strong national championship campaign will see him again in the Super 14 ranks next year.
If he's not, the chances are he'll head overseas. Tonga have already knocked on his door several times: "I just tell them no".
"At the moment I am enjoying playing for Auckland and hopefully if I get the chance I'll play for the Blues again. I had a taste of it this year and I want more. Opportunity is coming man, but you never know what is going to happen."
