Cutting merry capers

By JULIE ASH

Auckland's backline has been in scintillating form in recent weeks and would love nothing more than to turn on the tries when they play Otago at Carisbrook tomorrow night.

The southerners are the only team to have stopped Auckland crossing the try-line this season.

When the sides met in the opening round of the competition on a cold, wet Dunedin night, Otago clinched what was a bizarre 6-3 win.

"It was sort of like we were back in time or something," Auckland halfback David Gibson says.

"It wasn't like there was a lot of mistakes - we just cancelled each other out. I think this weekend will be a bit of a different story."

Rugby fans will definitely be hoping so.

"We know their forward pack is pretty good," Auckland fullback Orene Ai'i added.

"I think their whole tight five is made up of former All Blacks so we know they are going to be tough.

"If their forwards can give them good ball we know their backs can go as well so we know we are in for a good, physical game."

Ai'i said the Auckland forwards would need to fire.

"If we get good set pieces and quick ball then our backs can play.

"It is just about everyone getting up and taking it to Otago, which we didn't do in our first game against them where we kicked a lot of ball away."

Auckland's 39 tries are the most by a first-division team, and 27 of those came from the backs.

"We are certainly playing some good rugby which I think is a result of the boys becoming more confident and willing to have a crack," said Ai'i, who, with Gibson, provides the bookends of an exciting back division.

Gibson says the backline success is not the result of endless hours of practise but comes from the fact several players have good sets of lungs.

"They usually just scream at us and then you know you have to get the ball to them ... " Gibson quipped.

"These guys if you give them enough space they can hurt anyone.

"It is a lot of fun when you have guys out there breaking the line, it is just a matter of the rest of the guys getting there in support."

The introduction of former Kiwi league player Tasesa Lavea into first-five and Ai'i's move to fullback seems to have worked a treat.

And Ai'i cannot speak highly enough of his cousin, Lavea, who missed the early part of the season through injury.

"Tasesa and I always talk a lot. I think the advantage with Tasesa is that there is now a voice.

"In the first few rounds I was finding it hard because the guys outside me weren't talking, but Tasesa really gets going.

"It also helps when you are family. We sort of understand each and help each other out."

Ai'i says that although he prefers playing at first-five he is relishing his time at fullback. He is no stranger to the position.

"I have a lot more space but I'll just be going out there and trying my best for the boys."

And as for taking the field at Carisbrook in front of several thousand rowdy Otago fans, both Ai'i and Gibson cannot wait.

"I like playing down there, the supporters always come out and cheer the boys," Ai'i added.

The final word goes to Gibson: "Auckland has had a bit of an up and down season but we have the chance on Saturday to rectify that."

Try time

* Of the four semifinalists, Auckland scored the most tries during the NPC round robin. They scored 39, followed by Wellington 33, Otago 28 and Waikato 27.

* The most tries by a semifinalist in an NPC game was Otago's nine against Northland, but Auckland bagged eight against Northland and seven against Southland.

* Auckland's backs-forwards try split was 27-12. Their top individual tryscorer is wing Iliesa Tanivula with seven, followed by Orene Ai'i with six, and Ben Atiga, Brent Ward and captain Xavier Rush with four each.