Ash Moeke is a member of, at a guess, a rather select group of New Zealand rugby players.
His favourite player is Jonny Wilkinson and his reasoning is dead simple.
"I just love the way he ground out wins. People don't like him because he just kicks, but he winsgames and that's all the counts," Moeke said.
The 21-year-old is preparing for the biggest game in his short career as Auckland's first five-eighth in tomorrow's Ranfurly Shield challenge against Wellington. And so far he's shown Wilkinson-like form with his goalkicking.
Moeke has nailed nine from 10 attempts so far - second only in successful percentages among those with 10 or more shots at goal to Tasman's Andrew Goodman - and he appeals as a steady operator.
"It's not too bad," Moeke said yesterday of his current form. "But the big thing for me is consistency, backing it up every week and hopefully I can do that."
There's plenty of work to do and he knows that, reeling off his goalkicking, defensive play and his running game as areas requiring attention. But Auckland coach Mark Anscombe likes what he's seen and captain Benson Stanley rates him a top talent in the making.
Moeke remembers watching Auckland lift the Ranfurly Shield off Canterbury, 40-31, six years ago. From that came the desire to one day be part of a challenge for the domestic game's most famous trophy.
Moeke, who did a stint on loan to Northland last year - which included helping topple Auckland at Eden Park, ending their playoff hopes - had no part in the 27-0 dunking Wellington handed out last year. That doesn't mean he's immune to what happened that dark night at Eden Park.
"There's a bit of feeling there mate," he said. "I watched it and it was a bit disappointing how Wellington won so easily. So we are just going to have to go down and give it our best shot. That's all you can ask for."
