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Isa Nacewa, nursing a gash after being involved in a head clash in the first spell, capped his own splendid season and that of Auckland's, with another starring role in last night's Air New Zealand provincial rugby final at Eden Park.
Before a crowd of just 16,000, who
again were drenched from Auckland's unseasonable weather, Nacewa landed three second-spell penalties as Auckland fought off a strong Wellington challenge, especially after the interval, to win 23-14.
Having scored one of Auckland's two first-spell tries, Nacewa finished with a personal tally of 18 points.
The win, even if it was not in the regal manner which seemed possible during a bright first spell, gave Auckland three notable milestones for the season: the Air New Zealand Cup premiership title, the Ranfurly Shield and an unbeaten championship record, the first time a team has gone through a season unbeaten since Auckland in 1990.
The elation and relief of Auckland players at the final whistle was the best indication of some of the pressure they were under during a difficult second spell.
The game, perhaps understandably, lost much of its shape in the second spell with each side making numerous handling errors. Auckland wing David Smith was one who struggled with his hands and young lock Jeremy Thrush might have won the game for Wellington but for twice spilling the ball in the second spell.
What would have been the game's major turning point almost occurred with 14 minutes left when referee Chris Pollock sin-binned Auckland's replacement forward Troy Flavell for hands in the ruck.
Pollock, who had awarded minimal penalties in the first spell, clearly lost patience with the number of times each side infringed in slowing the ball down and had given a general warning that the next offender would go to the bin. That, alas for Auckland, proved to be Flavell.
Auckland, however, with Nacewa coolly landing the last of his goals from about 45m with about 10 minutes left, removed the threat of defeat.
The match featured the return of four of the World Cup All Blacks, Isaia Toeava in the midfield for Auckland for the entire game after the late withdrawal of Ben Atiga with a suspect hamstring and Keven Mealamu and Wellington's Rodney So'oialo and Conrad Smith during the second spell.
All contributed significantly to their sides, with Toeava making a couple of first spell breaks and So'oialo and Smith helping Wellington stay in the match during second spell when at half-time it might have been Auckland's for the taking.
Smith might even have given Wellington the lead with 16 minutes to go when he athletically caught Jimmy Gopperth's up and under but, with the line open, lock Thrush spilled his off-load.
So'oialo, though, did not have the most auspicious of starts when he came on at open-side flanker for Tom Harding. Early in the second spell he was penalised for a dangerous tackle of Auckland fullback Brent Ward. No arms were involved and as well as the penalty, which Nacewa landed, So'oialo was lucky not to have got a yellow card from Pollock. The offence appeared more grievous than that perpetrated by Flavell.
Auckland looked to have taken a grip on the game by taking a 14-8 half-time lead, despite playing first into the westerly wind and steady drizzle. Their well-organised pack, with a slight scrummaging edge from props John Afoa and Saimone Taumoepeau, set a firm platform, and the accuracy of inside backs, Taniela Moa and Nacewa, saw effective use of possession.
After Jimmy Gopperth had opened the score with a 10 minute penalty from 45m, Auckland in the 20th and 24th were rewarded for some prolonged pressure with a couple of lovely tries.
Bradley Mika, the powerful No 8, appeared to have lost one try-scoring opportunity when he could have off-loaded during an attack down the right. But the ball was kept alive with a switch to the left and skilful linking by openside flanker Daniel Braid put lock Jay Williams across at the corner.
Nacewa, who had missed a penalty, landed an important sideline conversion and did the same from the right hand touchline when he scored soon after as a result of a clever passing interchange with fullback Ward and wing Smith.
Wellington replied with some of their special flair with an equally impressive try. Fullback Cory Jane retrieved his kick-ahead and linked with No 8 Thomas Waldrom to put a rampant Thrush over at the corner.
Auckland 23 (J Williams, I Nacewa tries, Nacewa 2 cons, 3 pens) Wellington 14 (J Thrush try, J Gopperth 3 pens). HT: 14-8.