48 hours: Auckland's winning ways sidestep stolid southerners

Auckland completed yet another of its rugby revolutions on Saturday night and the wheels are also spinning in a similar direction - if with justified caution - behind the palace gates.

One of the most startling aspects of yesterday's All Black squad announcement is the demise of Canterbury as a test breeding ground, while NPC finalists Otago cannot manage to get one back into the massive 35-man squad.

"He who stands still is lost," is the most important rugby mantra, and the southerners have been rooted to the spot in both thoughts and deeds.

Auckland, though, have long been the province most capable of finding new and brilliant ways of going through and around opponents, primarily because this is the largest Polynesian city.

It is the Auckland way, surely, which represents the most productive and interesting way forward.

Auckland ended up blitzing the NPC, forcing Otago into a kicking game in the final that was almost embarrassing by the end. Otago have no firepower in the backs, and it is asking too much of their forwards to continually cover for that.

Canterbury certainly have far more than Otago to contribute to the test backline, so this is not to dismiss the Dan Carters and Aaron Maugers of the world. Yet Canterbury came this year with a game plan scraped off a cave wall and were exposed on home turf by their southern rivals.

The Canterbury/Crusaders reserve bench was, until recently, a recognised path into the All Blacks. Yet their frontline players have actually fallen back in the test selection race.

About the only thing Canterbury delivered in spades was a grave for Casey Laulala's All Black hopes. Once the great power running centre prospect, he was reduced to acting as a midfield stopper.

In Laulala's test place has stepped Isaia Toeava, one of the most amazing bolts from the blue in All Black history. Isaia who? Aren't we supposed to know everything about everybody thanks to the super-professional Super 14? Think again, because the game moves on with remarkable speed.

In certain quarters, these developments might be viewed with fear and loathing - has the black jersey lost its revered place?

Yet this explosion of talent is also a mouth-watering prospect. Not that we are likely to see that, because the All Blacks will mix the safe and the volatile in Britain and Ireland.

But within the latest touring squad lies a backline so potentially dynamic that you feel - on its day - it could blast any opponent in the world to smithereens.

Of course it might also blow up in the All Blacks' face if enough steadying hands such as Carter, Mauger, Umaga and possibly Mils Muliaina weren't on board for the toughest assignments.

The potential is there. Hang on to your hats because if it works, test rugby ain't seen nothing yet.

Having made great strides in sorting out the tight five, there is a sense that Graham Henry and co are now winding up the attack.

Just imagine an attacking All Black backline thus: Byron Kelleher, Luke McAlister, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Ma'a Nonu, Umaga, Joe Rokocoko, Doug Howlett. Pace, power, evasion, ball skills.

It won't happen for now, especially as there is no suggestion that Howlett - who has hit marvellous attacking and game-reading form - will be switched to fullback.

Nonu is seen as a midfield defensive risk. And Carter is still the nearest we have to a perfect 10, even if his game has gone off the boil.

But you get the feeling that the levels are being raised, and the selection of Toeava, pictured, reveals the selectors are heading in this direction.

So what of Auckland? They evolved into attacking masters and NPC saviours, with decent backup from North Harbour.

The NPC needs all the help it can get. It is no longer the game's shop widow and is not far away from being shunted into a store room corner, to be hauled out now and then as a curio.

Auckland, though, have kept the fires burning. This has been a triumph for Pat Lam, whose Auckland coaching career started with a muddled theory about a committee of captains, and has continued to bemuse with a game plan based on "playing what's in front of you".

It has worked. It has also allowed the brilliant talent that lies within the squad to find expression.

They even produced a set piece classic in the final - the Keven Mealamu lineout try. It is deserving of everlasting TV replay.

Otago were firing popguns in comparison, and their descent into a kicking game was a case of running up the white flag, and running out of ideas.

Auckland kept the spirit of innovation alive and they must have at least invigorated the national selectors' thinking, even if a test game plan must be cut from a different cloth.

Not that it was all joy and light. Auckland's assistant coach Shane Howarth was strangely grumpy, with attendant fruity language, about a TV commentary gibe from a fortnight earlier.

Howarth was apparently still upset at Stu Wilson's admittedly strange and obsessive gripe about the Auckland players failing to go over to the injured Derren Witcombe during the Ranfurly Shield challenge in Christchurch.

But Saturday was a night for blue and white supporters to celebrate. Auckland did themselves, and their city, proud.

Highs and Lows

High

Auckland's thrilling NPC final demolition job on Otago.

Low

The Kiwis' league test loss - a big one that got away.