Shift in glory from left to right

By DANIEL GILHOOLY of NZPA

Doug Howlett's brace of tries in New Zealand's 21-17 Bledisloe Cup and Tri-Nations rugby test victory over Australia here last night shifted attention from the left to the right wing, and away from All Blacks' shooting star Joe Rokocoko.

It also evens up the two-horse sprint to become New Zealand and world rugby's leading tryscorer this calendar year.

Howlett climbed to seven, still four behind Rokocoko, but he remained politically correct when asked whether he could catch his Auckland team-mate at the World Cup.

"It's never been a race, we're just happy, whoever scores the tries," a smiling Howlett said.

"Joe's first to congratulate me when I score and vice versa. It went my way tonight and it hasn't done that so much recently."

Howlett reinstated his claim as the world's premier winger with a superb allround effort.

In tandem with Rokocoko, 20, pace on the flanks has quickly become one of New Zealand's prime points of difference this season and has made it easier to accept the absence through illness of great winger Jonah Lomu.

They have scored 18 of the All Blacks' 29 tries this year, with the rest of the backs managing just eight between them and the forwards only three.

From 31 tests, Howlett has scored 24 tries, up to sixth on New Zealand's all-time list.

And he has played 22 consecutive tests, well clear of his nearest rivals in last night's squad. Centre Tana Umaga has played 13 in succession and lock Ali Williams 10.

The attacking approach and skill level of his team-mates left Howlett more breathless than any on-field dashes.

He cited his first try, when outstanding hooker Keven Mealamu broke out wide "just like a centre", and laid on the final pass.

"That's the thing with this team, anyone can fit in anywhere".

For the second successive game New Zealand failed to score a try in the second half, which could partly be attributed to slippery conditions.

"It did get tough. The drizzle just before halftime changed the game a bit," said Howlett, who was nonetheless surprised the Wallabies' wayward tactical kicking again allowed he and fullback Mils Muliaina time to attack from deep.

"Maybe that was their gameplan, to get territory, but we're more than happy to receive kicks and attack from there."

Muliaina sparked Howlett's first try in the fifth minute with a break from deep while the second showcased his blistering speed as he raced past Wallabies second five-eighth Elton Flatley to pounce on a chip by first five-eighth Carlos Spencer.

Muliaina was exceptional with his running before leaving the game early in the second spell with a hamstring twinge.

All Blacks management were confident the injury wouldn't sideline the elusive fullback for long.

It gave replacement Leon MacDonald his first test appearance for more than a year after battling concussion problems.

MacDonald ran at full throttle in his 30-minute appearance, the first touch seeing him soar bravely to contest his own up-and-under.

- NZPA