'Lucky' Lauaki out to repeat that try

Sione Lauaki (right) goes around Doug Howlett to score the Chiefs' last-minute winner at Eden Park last year. Picture / Fotopress

It was one of the enduring images of last year's Super 12.

Even a couple of months later, when the Brumbies had done their 30-minute slash and burn operation on the Crusaders in the final, Sione Lauaki's stunning solo try in the final minute to steal victory for the Chiefs against the Blues at Eden Park remained vivid.

The big man running right, stopping, heading back left looking for an opening, then charging forward between wrong-footed defenders before selling a dummy to fullback Mils Muliaina and sprinting over in the corner.

Chiefs 27 Blues 20. The Chiefs made the semifinals for the first time. The Blues were nowhere.

Now they tangle again at the Waikato Stadium tomorrow night, but what does the man himself remember about That Try?

"It was special. I guess I was just lucky," the softly spoken bruiser said with a laugh. "It won't happen again. I guess it's a fluke. It's a good memory but I'll keep it there."

Indeed the 23-year-old of Tongan descent had a year to savour.

Lauaki, a member of the Colts teams which won the world title in Sydney in 2001 and finished third in South Africa a year later, is an Aucklander but was overlooked when the franchise picked its protected 24 for last year's Super 12. So he travelled a couple of hours down the road and was a stellar contributor in the Chiefs' first trip to the semifinals.

After the Super 12, he was selected for the Pacific Islanders for their inaugural - and maybe only - three-test programme against the Southern Hemisphere heavyweights. He was a giant contributor, scoring tries in all three tests against Australia, the All Blacks and South Africa.

He's at a loss to identify why his form was so good on that tour.

"I guess I was just carrying on from Chiefs. I can't really put my finger on it."

Putting the best players from the three island nations together with a common goal perhaps showing just how good they could be?

"In a way we felt like that. But everyone was excited, the Fijians, Tongans and Samoans. We just wanted to take advantage of that opportunity."

His performances were such that his name was being linked with the All Blacks team due to be named for the forthcoming Tri-Nations.

Lauaki heard the talk, but what did he really think?

"I was a bit excited, but then in saying that I knew I was with another team and I just had to perform well for them.

"I thought, maybe, and it just stayed like that."

Back with Auckland for last year's NPC, Lauaki was off the pace, struggling to make an impact.

The Blues said no thanks for this year's Super 12, so the Chiefs stepped in again, hoping for a rekindling of last year's form.

Lauaki was on the bench for the opening losses to the Waratahs and Crusaders, making second half appearances. But he's in the starting XV against the Blues tomorrow night.

The Chiefs need more attacking thrust and the coaching staff know where they can get it.

"We are not too far off it," is his assessment of their 0-from-2 start.

"We train well, it's just come game day things don't happen. We can't let our heads stay down. We've just got to keep having the faith."

Lauaki realises he had a surprise element on his side last year. His ball running qualities caught some opponents off guard. Not this year.

"It is harder this year. Last year was lucky for me that people didn't really know how I play. It's a good challenge this year."

Lauaki says he's looking to sharpen his defensive work this year, be more aggressive and work harder in support of the ball carrier.

So do the Blues carry an extra edge for the big man, enhance his desire for a big night tomorrow?

"In a way. I know what they'll be saying about me coming down here. But I'm just excited to be playing against my brothers."