Spencer adds backline spark

By WYNNE GRAY

AUCKLAND 50 OTAGO 26

Just as Waikato did with David Hill when they needed to make a move in the NPC, Auckland used the same formula when they reintroduced Carlos Spencer to first five-eighths.

Spencer remains an exasperating talent in New Zealand rugby, a player with more creative skills than most, but one who can ignore the basics at his team's peril as well.

It is almost like he gets bored with the basics, he does not have the patience to work through a swag of phases to make the kill, he wants to deliver the execution pronto.

But against Otago at Eden Park on Saturday, Spencer was able to dovetail the work of a picador and matador as he and Auckland slayed the southern challengers.

The 24-point thrashing continued Auckland's amazing undefeated Eden Park streak against Otago dating back to 1976.

It also has Otago edgy about making the semifinals. After entering the weekend in second place they failed to take a point and if they repeat that in their Ranfurly Shield challenge against Canterbury this weekend while Auckland and Wellington both pick up points, they could miss the final four.

When Waikato played Auckland they brought Hill back into their side over Derek Maizey and also gave him the goalkicking role ahead of the well-performed Bruce Reihana.

It was a long-term view, the choice of a running five-eighths who also had the variety of a strong tactical kicking game.

Auckland used Lee Stensness, but his limited kicking game was exposed and the backline hit too easily in defence. If they were to make the final four and pose a threat there had to be a change.

Spencer had been playing with some flair and solidity at fullback but on Saturday he was asked to control the backline as he has in most of his 85 games for Auckland.

"Carlos is our best first-five, there is no doubt about that," co-coach Wayne Pivac said. "He is our best fullback and he might be our best second-five, who knows we could go on a bit further but he is a real talent. He won games for us on his own last year and in the past at first five and I thought he had a really good game."

Spencer's opening bomb delivered a try, his punting found heaps of territory and his running and passing unzipped the Otago defence. He brought the full repertoire.

If Spencer created much of the mayhem, he was allowed to by a tight five which went to work, a forward pack led by Kees Meeuws, Keven Mealamu and Nick White which brought some fizz after being dead flat against Waikato just a week ago.

Ali and Bryce Williams controlled the lineouts, the loosies Daniel Braid, Angus MacDonald and Xavier Rush were omnipresent. That delighted coach Pivac but he is still dealing with form fluctuations from his forwards.

He cited inexperience as a factor but new blindside flanker Angus MacDonald was impressive, shifting opponents out at the breakdown, leaping in the lineout and showing potent attacking runs. He and Braid, sons of former All Black locks Hamish MacDonald and Gary Braid, have delivered their NZ Colts reputation to Auckland.

The new boys in the backline were also impressive. Brent Ward was safe and ran with elan from fullback while Sam Tuitupou was a belting defender.

Against an Otago side with some experienced forwards, it was a significant result. Otago started without Neil Brew, Byron Kelleher and Filipo Levi, who were all late withdrawals with minor injuries, but they were caned.

They have struggled to victory in several games this season, they lack rhythm in the backs and if some of their forwards think they are going to be All Blacks again they need to do more.

"It was very important after two losses on the trot," Pivac said of his side.

"It all started at setpiece, I think our lineout went pretty well and the turnover ball is where you can hurt teams and I think that was evident today."

After an eight-tries-to-three victory, Auckland will have regained some of the belief which was dented against Waikato. With no sign of serious injury, they will also have asked some difficult selection questions with the weekend rearrangement reviving the spark which will be needed against Wellington on Friday.

For Otago, it was shabby dress-rehearsal for their shield challenge, a day when reputations were dimmed. They will get up for Canterbury but they needed that on Saturday to break a 26-year Eden Park jinx and confirm a semifinal position.

Otago did not turn up right from the first kick put up by Spencer. " They were second all day and obviously very disappointed.

Turning with a 20-point halftime deficit, but with the advantage of the wind, Otago thought they could reverse the misery.

It got worse as Auckland cruised through as Doug Howlett completed his hat-trick.

It was hard to explain. The only consolation was the acknowledgment by Auckland back coach Grant Fox that his side had been equally and unfathomably disappointing a week before.