Rival centres great mates off the field

Anthony Tuitavake (left) and Ben Atiga have been friends for a long time but they won't be exchanging pleasantries on the field. Pictures / Getty Images

They've been great mates since primary school but tonight, in the age-old tradition of best buddies, Ben Atiga and Anthony Tuitavake will be going flat out to put one over each other at Eden Park.

In a way, they epitomise the change that's come over these clashes between Auckland and North Harbour.

The rivalry at top division level has been going since 1988 but back then the Aucklanders looked sniffily at the interlopers from over the bridge.

The Harbourites doubtless fancied cocking a snook at the big boys too.

Things got out of hand in the infamous 1994 NPC first division final at Onewa Domain.

Blood flowed on a grubby afternoon and it all became pretty testy for a time afterwards.

But now players from both teams live on the 'wrong' side of the Harbour Bridge.

That over-wrought tension has evaporated, although there's no question this, more than any other Air New Zealand Cup game - presumably apart from the final - is the one both teams would want to win.

Atiga and Tuitavake probably know each other's game better than anyone else.

They attended Richmond Rd primary school, sang at the United Church of Tonga 100m down the road in Grey Lynn and in Atiga's words their families "are pretty much like relatives".

They will both wear No 13 tonight and even though they are good footballers and it's a position which has generated plenty of All Black debate it seems they are some way down the selectors' wanted list right now - but they're not completely off the radar either.

It seems Atiga has been round for years, yet he's only 23. This will be his 50th game for Auckland, since his debut in 2002 and there's no one he'd rather be squaring off against.

"We've grown up together and know each other inside out," Atiga said.

"We're not mates on the field, you don't back down and always try to better each other, and that competition's healthy.

"But I've been competing against him all my life and it's something we've got used to."

Tuitavake calls Atiga "a special mate".

"I try to hang out with him more often but he's a busy lad. Every time I ring him his phone's busy."

He'll get a chance to exchange pleasantries tonight.

Both have been in good form this season, the versatile Atiga a rock in the Auckland backline, Tuitavake one of the whizzbang Harbour backs who have lit up their campaign, which at this moment has them the only unbeaten team in pool A of the cup.

Three years ago Atiga made his solitary All Black appearance, six minutes off the bench against Tonga in a 91-7 beating at the World Cup in Brisbane.

Atiga regrets that he didn't make more of his opportunity. He has an appreciation of what his younger Auckland teammate, Isaia Toeava, might be going through right now.

"I do kind of feel for him. I was in the same kind of position, I was probably overwhelmed when I made the team."

Atiga knows he's a better footballer now, more rounded and with a better appreciation of what's going on around him. The sort of things which come with experience.

"I'm just relishing my time out there. I read the game a bit better, my confidence is coming back and I probably have more passion for the game now."

Tuitavake's situation is different. He has not made the All Blacks and, given the selectors liking for, in no particular order, Conrad Smith, Mils Muliaina, Toeava and Ma'a Nonu, his task is difficult.

He rates his own form this season as "okay" but he knows areas he needs to improve. He has formed a strong midfield partnership with captain Rua Tipoki and with other speedsters like the up and coming George Pisi, Vili Waqaseduadua and Rudi Wulf in the Harbour side, they have as much explosive talent as any other backline in the country.

As you'd expect, Tuitavake, at 24 a year older than Atiga, has an image in his mind of running out in a black jersey. Right now, it's hard to see him breaking through the field ranged ahead of him, but he knows you never say never.

This year, the Harbour pack have done their bit, getting the better of supposedly superior packs from Bay of Plenty and Wellington. The chances have come for the flying backline.

Harbour are right to expect Auckland to hit the ground running tonight to put behind them a poor effort in losing to Wellington last week.

"It's pretty dangerous when you play an Auckland team the week after they lost. Some of their players, I know their mentality is that the next team they play are going to get it. So we need to front up and deal with whatever they give us," Tuitavake said.

There are other matchups which will be keenly watched by Blues coaches David Nucifora and Joe Schmidt.

Brent Ward and Pisi at the back; Andrew Blowers and Nick Williams at No 8; Tipoki and Isa Nacewa at second five-eighth; Steve Devine and Junior Poluleuligaga at halfback are among them.

"Personally it's just another important game, Tuitavake said. "Of course, in the background there's the Blues. But first it's a game we need to win," Atiga couldn't have put it better.

And don't be surprised at the end of what should be a tough, rugged contest to see genuine mateship among the players. And that's because in many cases they are.

Just ask the two blokes in No 13.