KEY POINTS:
Is Doug Howlett a worthy successor to the immortal Christian Cullen?
Not so long ago you would have got some pretty decent odds on Howlett even being at this World Cup, let alone be a starting winger in what many believe is Graham Henry's strongest XV.
By
most pundits' reckoning, at the start of this season Howlett was standing in line behind Joe Rokocoko, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Rico Gear, and just in front of Canterbury's Scott Hamilton, in the race for the three World Cup wing spots.
But this season has been kind to the Auckland flyer and, after his hat-trick against the hapless Italians in last night's 76-14 win, Howlett shares with Christian Cullen the record for All Black test tries at 46.
With some soft matches coming up it is inconceivable to think he won't pass Cullen and move into sole ownership of one of the most cherished records in the sport. All Blacks back coach Wayne Smith has no doubt Howlett deserves the honour.
Following the Italian job he was rich in praise for the 28-year-old.
Smith spoke of his work ethic on and off the field, how he chases down every kick and harries opponents. "It's a good reward for him," he said.
When the dust settles on the record book it is worth pondering how Howlett will be remembered.
With the likes of Cullen and Jonah Lomu you don't need to reach back too far into the memory banks to recall a handful of great tries by both.
With Howlett, it is difficult to remember many at all.
He is the ultra-reliable link in the chain rather than the cog that drives it. In recent years the flash and dash of Sivivatu and Rokocoko, both of whom might have one eye on the record themselves, has been easier on the eye than Howlett's graft but neither share Howlett's enthusiasm for the less appealing aspects of wing play.
Nobody expects wingers to be great tacklers but Howlett is, as was demonstrated in the Super 14 this year and again against the Italians. It's that reliability, nose for a try and pace (yes, Howlett is still quick), that now looks as if it has given him inside running for the All Blacks top team, and a try-scoring record. But the question remains:
Will he be remembered as a hard-working trier who made the most of his abilities, or as a genuine All Black legend like Cullen before him?
