Howling in the right direction

By WYNNE GRAY

Doug Howlett insists he has always been a rugby player who turned to athletics. He hopes people don't consider him a track star in studs.

He had always played rugby or league with older brother Phil and it was only at Auckland Grammar that he was persuaded to extend his skills to the athletic arena.

"I hope I haven't had the tag of an athlete who plays rugby," he said.

"It seems to come with the territory with wingers because if you were fast you were the fast guy who can't catch the ball or the fast guy who had no skills.

"I would hope I was not portrayed as someone like that.

"Rugby was always my No. 1 sport, I only dabbled in athletics."

Those who have taken a long look at the 24-year-old's play this season should nod their heads knowingly about his rugby abilities.

It has been a grand year for Howlett, as he has cemented the right wing place he took late last year and has moved into a senior All Black role with the absence of Jeff Wilson.

Howlett has a good grounding. He was plucked from secondary school to represent Auckland, played Super 12 before his 19th birthday and has missed just two of the All Blacks' last 19 internationals.

First up he has the prime ingredient for a wing, speed. He also has a neat swerve, anticipation, a kicking game and good cover defence. Put into a gap by Tana Umaga against England, Howlett knew he would outgas Jason Robinson to the line.

"I knew I had 50 metres to go with half the field to run in, I knew what I had to do, that is what wings are meant to do," he said modestly.

It was another quality performance from Howlett but one which gained small publicity because the hulking Jonah Lomu on the other flank fired at last for the All Blacks. In England, Lomu is a big deal - when he fires interest quadruples.

That's okay by Howlett, a young man of engaging presence, easy smile and a shock of barbed wire curls which make him a pinup for many rugby followers.

His contribution at Twickenham was not lost on coach John Mitchell.

"Doug has been a very good international winger in 2002," he said.

"His repertoire of skills have improved to almost make him a complete wing."

His try was one example and his leadup work in almost squeezing Ben Blair in for a victorious late try was another.

As the pair scooted down the main grandstand side of Twickenham, England fullback Jason Robinson backpedalled to cover them as Ben Cohen came across to assist.

Howlett delayed and delayed his pass, hoping Robinson would drift too far across and give him a gap on the inside. But Robinson made his tackling move and Howlett released a perfect pass to Blair who was just cut down at the corner.

"Robinson did it well, I was trying to get him to stay out on Ben and then have a crack for the line. But he covered both of us, he did well. There were always players in front of us, it was not like the try I got.

"That was one where you could have a bit of a smile because it was a winger's dream."

Howlett has had a long season but with the new faces at Auckland and the All Blacks said it had been enjoyable. With just two tests left, he is ready to give it everything against France and maybe Wales.

Then there is some holiday time with brother Phil, who is playing league for Perpignan in the south of France. The pair will link up for Sunday's international and then some downtime in Italy and Greece.

It was a scheme he pursued last year when he stayed with halfback Mark Robinson for a week in Rio de Janeiro after the All Blacks tour.

"There is nothing better to take your mind away from football or the year coming up than to take a holiday like that."

That will rejuvenate Howlett but he also wants to be smiling more in Paris this weekend.

* Equalled Joeli Vidiri's record of 10 tries in a Super 12 campaign for the Blues this year.

* Scored two tries on his test debut against Tonga in 2000, then scored in each of his next six tests.

* His try against England last weekend was his 15th in 22 tests.