Lam looks spoilt for choice

Pat Lam

Auckland 53 Northland 7

Put yourself in Pat Lam's shoes for a moment.

Auckland are sitting pretty as joint leaders in the first division, are semifinal shoo-ins and all done without the bulk of your All Blacks.

This week, Lam has all bar hooker Keven Mealamu available for selection for Wellington's visit to Eden Park on Friday night. That brings lock Ali Williams and fullback Mils Muliaina back into the mix.

Then throw in injured forwards Jerome Kaino and captain Justin Collins, backs Ben Atiga and Brent Ward, who are all expected to be fit for Wellington, and life is looking good for the Auckland coach.

But he's wary of getting too excited about the riches at his disposal and insists selection will be based on what he and assistant Shane Howarth believe is best for the team.

The most interesting selection involves Muliaina, who is off to Waikato and the Chiefs next year.

Auckland have an abundance of backline riches, and there are opinions that it would be better to sever the ties now.

But Lam won't hear any of it. He is adamant Muliaina's name will figure in the discussions.

"He's part of our squad. He's available for selection and he goes straight into the mix. The simple fact is he's still an Auckland player."

Lam told the players after Saturday's canter past Northland that selection for the remaining games will be done without fear or favour and there'll be no tinkering with what's proved a successful formula.

"The way we think is what's the best squad to win a game. At this stage of the season you've got to pick the best 22, simple as that," Lam said last night.

"Guys will be disappointed and that's natural. Both myself and Shane have been through that as players but, ultimately, it's about what's best for the team."

Auckland ran in eight tries against Northland, who have gone 25 NPC games without a win.

Lam reckons they should have done better.

"There were times we played some good rugby. But every game, bar Taranaki, we've come off feeling, although we'd won and got five points, it could have been won by more."

Wellington and Canterbury, their final round robin opponents, won't be as generous, and that's without even thinking about the semifinal and perhaps the final.

Individually, fullback Isaia Toeava showed why he is tipped for a bright future with a couple of tries and some deft handiwork and running; Tony Koonwaiyou stretched his legs for a couple of tries; captain and halfback Steve Devine looked perky in his first start after his injury layoff; and No 8 Brad Mika charged about impressively, to give weight to the view that is his natural position rather than lock.

Northland began well and several players worked tirelessly for the cause.

Flanker Mesake Davu, midfield back Josh Levi and lock Isoa Domolailai all had their moments and there were plenty of stout-hearted defensive efforts.

But too often hard-won possession was tossed away.

Hooker Tim Dow, with his third try of the campaign, got Northland's only reward.