Rugby: Auckland make hard work of Northland

By WYNNE GRAY and NZPA

AUCKLAND 24 NORTHLAND 12

Auckland, the defending first division champions, made hard work of their unblemished NPC record against Northland last night.

They rarely looked in danger of being beaten by their neighbours for the first time since the 1976 start to the series, but they also lacked significant attacking bite to their play.

They were more content to use Carlos Spencer's tactical kicking to pen Northland in their territory to try to force mistakes.

They did, while Northland's attempts to kick their way clear of trouble were often inaccurate.

After a scratchy opening, the scores were even after the first quarter, Auckland with two penalties from Carlos Spencer and Northland replying with two from Hayden Taylor.

The home side would have been disappointed with that tally, despite their slow start.

They rattled Auckland with separate breaks from Samiu Vahafolau, Norm Berryman and Jason Hita - raids which should have drawn at least one try.

But having defended tenaciously, it was Auckland who scored the first try after some dazzling running from Spencer.

When a backline move stalled near the touchline, Spencer ran back across field.

He danced and jinked past several tacklers, drew another defender and found Robin Brooke, whose excellent pass put speedy hooker Keven Mealamu in at the corner.

Just to reveal more of his talent, Spencer converted from the sideline. The first five-eighths took over the kicking because regular fullback Adrian Cashmore was a late withdrawal with a back problem and was replaced by Orene Ai'i.

Auckland's scrum was steady and their lineout dominant.

They contested every delivery and managed to pinch five Northland throws. And that was just in the first half.

Northland's difficulties were compounded by some indifferent tackling. One tackle may have a sequel at the judiciary after No 8 Vahafolau collected Spencer with a high shot.

Auckland began the second half looking for the quick kill. Spencer had another penalty and only a superb Justin Collins' cover tackle stopped Craig Innes scoring in the corner.

Not long after being floored, Spencer kicked his fourth penalty and Taylor replied with his fourth success.

A poor Northland kick downfield then cost them a chance of an upset. Malili Muliaina made about 30m upfield to find aggressive support from Ai'i, Doug Howlett and replacement Eroni Clarke, who was held near the line but was able to unload for Ai'i backing up.

With 10 minutes remaining, Northland got some reasonable possession near the Auckland line, but found their defence as tough to break at the end as they had done at the beginning.

Auckland 24 (K. Mealamu, O. Ai'i, tries; C. Spencer 4 pen, con) Northland 12 (H. Taylor 4 pen) Halftime: 13-9.

Curtainraiser: Auckland B 44 (G. Williams, D. Rasmussen, B. Stankovich, T. Suemai, R. Rush, S. Bates tries; J. Arlidge 3 con, 2 pen, M. Ashford con). Northland B 10 (C. Going, A. Tubbs, tries) Halftime: 16-5.