By WYNNE GRAY
There is no official trophy at stake but tonight's match between Auckland and Otago must be for the worst side in this year's competition.
Forget Southland and Northland, who occupy the final two places.
These sides at Eden Park are both major players in their Super 12 franchises and have
much greater resources.
Auckland's three wins and Otago's two wins and a draw are poor reward for these provinces, and the off-season and wait for Super 12 selection will be even more disquieting after tonight's result.
The weather forecast is dismal and it is difficult to move away from gloomy thoughts about this contest.
What it means for All Black selection this month is also a problem as Auckland and Otago have failed to win their previous pressure matches.
That will allow other contenders to push their cause later in the competition, under the sort of pressure created at test level.
There will, of course, be interest in Ben Atiga and Mils Muliaina in their alternate positions, last-chance thoughts about marginal tourists Carlos Spencer, Xavier Rush, Daniel Braid, Saimone Taumoepeau, Carl Hoeft, Anton Oliver, Josh Blackie or Danny Lee.
Damp conditions will suit Otago and their tight five, a tough quintet whose hard work has been squandered by their backs. The rumble between Taumoepeau and Carl Hayman should be one for the purists again.
Blackie and Braid are two of the quicksilver flankers who develop continuity for their teams but the tempo of the game, and probably the result, will be determined by the halves.
Lee and Shaun Webb have yet to impose themselves as much as the David Gibson-Spencer combination.
Defending NPC champions Auckland, expected to win, are under more pressure.
"There will be pride on the line, All Black places, some guys are transferring and it could be Kees' [Meeuws] last game and the same for a few of their blokes," Auckland captain Rush said.
Tough times were a fact of life in professional sport.
NPC fixtures, results and standings
Division One | Division Two | Division Three
