Rugby: Auckland door opens after another closes

Matt Berquist says he could not imagine he'd ever trade his Magpie hoops for the blue and white ones of Auckland. Photo / Hawke's Bay Today

Matt Berquist spent his first couple of weeks in Auckland turning up late to training and thinking the usual dark thoughts of those uninitiated to gridlock.

Hawkes Bay born and bred, Berquist, 27, played a lead role in that province's rise to the top table and could not imagine he'd ever trade his Magpie hoops for blue and white ones. But a potential overseas contract fell through and in the interim Hawkes Bay had filled the potential gap by signing Wellington's Daniel Kirkpatrick. Berquist suddenly had to look elsewhere.

"It was tough to leave the Bay," admitted Berquist. "But things did not plan out how I wanted to at the start of the year so it's a new opportunity up here.

"It will be tough lining up against the Bay if I get that opportunity, but life's full of challenges and this is another one."

When you're brought up in the provinces you're conditioned to think of Auckland and Aucklanders in a way that is not necessarily flattering. Berquist admits he was one of those.

"Exactly. I've actually thought of that of late. They've always been like the big brother and you sort of wonder how they go about things up here.

"It's good to be experiencing the Auckland culture and way of life."

Berquist and his partner have moved into an apartment and he is slowly getting used to the city's quirks.

"Traffic's a big one. My first couple of weeks I was late for trainings. I was finding what was a 10-minute trip one day was an hour the next. It's a lot busier, but my partner's enjoying it and we're finding a lot to do."

It is an indictment on the inability of Auckland to spin out halfbacks and first five-eighths that the province has embraced the arrivals of Berquist and Toby Morland who played together at the Highlanders before Morland took a contract at Irish giants Munster.

"Being the biggest region in New Zealand you'd think the depth would be a bit more solid up here," said Berquist. "But there's some good guys coming through. I guess they're just in a transition phase."

Berquist will find himself in a battle with Ash Moeke for the starting 10 spot, with the latter impressing against Counties Manukau in a pre-season match last week.

Auckland coach Mark Anscombe, who is under pressure to bring back good times to the province, has been impressed by Berquist.

"He's brought a great deal to the group. He's got a lot of experience and has played a lot of first-class rugby. It allows us to have two good 10s competing for the position.

"They'll keep each other honest."

The squad features two players who recently won the junior world championship, lock Liaki Moli and flanker Sean Polwart. It also sees the return of old stagers Brent Ward and Ben Atiga.

Daniel Braid, so impressive with the Reds this Super 14 season, also returns.

Anscombe confirmed that Ali Williams would take no part in this campaign as he rehabilitates from an Achilles injury. Isaia Toeava, who had surgery on his hip recently, was not due to start running until September and is unlikely to play.

Cup squad

Auckland: Halani Aulika (Otahuhu)*, Ben Atiga (Ponsonby), Onosa'i Auva'a (Grammar-Carlton), Matt Berquist (College Rifles)*, Daniel Braid (University), Ash Dixon (Uni)*, Charlie Faumuina (Ota), Kurtis Haiu (Marist), Brenton Helleur (Uni), Jamie Helleur (Uni), Chris Lowrey (Pon), Tevita Mailau (Ota), Pauliasi Manu (Uni), Tom McCartney (Pakuranga), Ash Moeke (GC), Liaki Moli (Manukau)*, Toby Morland (CR)*, Atieli Pakalani (GC), Charles Piutau (Pak)*, Sean Polwart (Uni)*, Chay Raui (Pon), Peter Saili (Mar), Winston Stanley (Pon) Dave Thomas (GC), Andrew Van der Heijden (Uni), Brent Ward (Uni)

*New to the Auckland squad

All Blacks: John Afoa, Keven Mealamu, Jerome Kaino, Benson Stanley, Joe Rokocoko.

Not considered due to injury: Auvasa Faleali'i, Ali Williams, Isaia Toeava, Teddy Stanaway