Rugby: Ai'i key figure in spirited fightback

By WYNNE GRAY

AUCKLAND 42 TARANAKI 14

Auckland had to respond and they did.

Blues franchise partners North Harbour and Northland had belted out bonus-point wins to start the NPC, while Auckland were up against recent nemesis Taranaki.

The heat on the next Super 12 choices became an inferno in the first minute when Mepi Faoagali cut through some ordinary defence for a converted try. Taranaki had begun with the zing which has brought them three wins against Auckland in the past four years.

Auckland had to regroup immediately or risk another embarrassment.

In the end, the only awkwardness came from Taranaki, beaten 42-14 and probably left wondering whether their confrontational approach was best suited to the changing demands of modern rugby.

Auckland had been nothing special, although Orene Ai'i, Adrian Cashmore and Steve Devine had complemented a solid forward effort.

After captain Paul Thomson conceded his pack had been "soft" in two trial games, they defused Taranaki's forward power to give the backs room to create the victory.

Once their forward strength had been doused, Taranaki had little alternative attack. First five-eighths Mark Urwin continued to run the ball instead of kicking for territory, which would have been a far better scheme in the greasy conditions of Eden Park on Saturday night.

Even Auckland were given a tune-up by coach Wayne Pivac for straying from their gameplan, a pattern which involved working up plays inside Taranaki's half.

But they had the flair of Ai'i, a late starter on the wing for injured All Black Doug Howlett and then a temporary five-eighths replacement for Carlos Spencer, to ignite their victory march.

When Spencer went off to get his lip stitched, Ai'i moved infield and created a couple of quick tries to give Auckland a 23-7 lead at the interval.

The first, scored by substitute Eroni Clarke, back from his week's loan, was followed by Cashmore on an evening when he bagged 27 points to show why Toyota have paid so much for him next season.

The scoreline stagnated in the third quarter. Taranaki had enough ball, their scrum was dominant but their backs were easy targets for the Auckland defence until replacement wing Lome Fa'atau beat ineffective tackles from Iliesa Tanivula and Cashmore to score.

It was another pivotal moment for the defending champions, although they did not look in danger of defeat. Three late tries clinched the deal.

No 8 Xavier Rush burst away from a maul after a lineout, Ai'i showed marvellous skills to pick up a grubber kick near the line before Cashmore completed the touchdowns.

The result stopped Auckland's nervous run against Taranaki and gave them confidence after their practice game setbacks.