Rokocoko's gift could keep on giving

Auckland halfback Steve Devine passes the ball in lashing rain that forced players to concentrate on handling skills. Ross Land / Getty Images

Auckland 29 Taranaki 3

In a few weeks time, Joe Rokocoko's trademark leap for Auckland's fourth try against Taranaki may have assumed more importance than it did at the time.

The try, Auckland's third in the last 11 minutes and fourth overall on a soggy night in New Plymouth, ensured a bonus point, which was fine reward for a strong second half.

But if things get tight in the second round of Top Six playoff games in the Air New Zealand Cup - into which points are carried over from the opening pool play - Auckland might yet be offering thanks for the flying Rokocoko's 50m-dash down the left with the hooter about to sound.

Forty minutes earlier, the idea of Auckland taking a bonus point seemed about as likely as Manawatu winning the national championship.

They had fumbled and scuffed their way through an ordinary first 40 minutes.

Taranaki had their noses in front by a Miah Nikora penalty and even though Auckland had 79 per cent of the territorial advantage, and 73 per cent of possession, a combination of gritty Taranaki defence and enough handling bloopers to fill a decent-sized video nasty had conspired to frustrate them.

Thoughts of a repeat of last year's 40-19 thrashing may have been permeating Taranaki minds.

"At halftime we just said dump all those errors, it's got to come. It's just about sticking to our game plan and being patient," Auckland coach Pat Lam said.

When the rain lashed in, Lam would certainly have been the only person in the stadium who was happy.

"It was great. The boys had to concentrate a bit more on holding the ball."

Still, it took a further 13 minutes for Auckland to get in front, and even then they needed hometown assistance.

After Brent Ward had levelled things with a penalty, Taranaki fullback Brendon Watt had one of those hide-behind-the-couch moments you'd wish on someone you didn't like.

Unbelievably, he tried a defensive chip kick from just off his own goal-line. Isaia Toeava simply caught it, chucked it to Doug Howlett and it was try time.

It was the break Auckland needed and halfback Taniela Moa and captain Sam Tuitupou slid across as they piled on the pressure. Rokocoko's final sprint, after superb handling through several pairs of hands, capped it off.

Auckland's five All Blacks from Saturday night disappear for at least the next three rounds. Howlett and Rokocoko worked hard, Toeava showed some glimpses of real class and Tuitupou was perhaps the best back on the park, full of muscular, surging runs over the advantage line.

Ali Williams came off the bench to enhance Auckland's lineout advantage and other pack men such as Brad Mika and Daniel Braid turned in strong displays.

Braid suffered a cut mouth, but there is a good chance Lam will have Braid, along with injured trio Onosai Tololima-Auva'a, Tasesa Lavea (both hamstring strains) and midfield back Jamie Helleur fit again for Bay of Plenty's visit next Sunday.

There are hard games ahead - Wellington and North Harbour are looming - but Auckland have set out their stall in impressive fashion.