KEY POINTS:
Centre Isaia Toeava's ability to bounce back from test disappointment to star for Super 14 rugby leaders the Blues has delighted his coach and come as little surprise to his team-mates.
After being omitted from the All Blacks' end-of-year Northern Hemisphere tour just six months ago, Toeava has
put himself firmly back into World Cup contention with his superb form of late.
Typical was his contribution to the Blues' 26-8 defeat of the Cheetahs last Friday night, when the quietly-spoken 21-year-old had a significant hand in each of the home side's three tries.
Coach David Nucifora hailed the way Toeava had been able to come through last year's tough experience.
"To be as publicly scrutinised as he was is hard for anyone to take, let alone a fellow of his youth," he said.
"He's done well and his confidence is getting back there. We're certainly very pleased."
Toeava's promising talent was identified early by the All Black selectors and he made his test debut in Scotland in late 2005 as a 19-year-old straight out of the Auckland provincial side.
His Super 14 career began with the Hurricanes last year and he went on to gain four further test caps, but his All Black performances were patchy, with handling errors a feature.
"He came into the season under a lot of pressure and speculation about his ability," Nucifora said.
"But he settled in really well and he's starting to show the potential that people saw in him early on."
Nucifora identified one difference in Toeava this year as his greater size and strength.
There were still improvements to be made in his game, although the fact that he was a brilliant attacking player was obvious.
"He's got incredible speed and he's a bit stronger now, more powerful than he was, and that's certainly helping in his game," Nucifora said.
"He's up around 100kg, which is making a big difference. We still need to keep working on the contact areas of his game."
Second five-eighth and fellow 2006 All Black Sam Tuitupou, who knew Toeava from the time he was an up-and-comer, wasn't surprised by his midfield partner's ability to put adversity behind him.
"I always knew he had the talent and it was just a matter of letting him have more game time," he said.
"It's great to see him grow into such an awesome player. He's shown in the Super 14 that he does have the goods to make the World Cup squad."
Tuitupou said Toeava's attacking power and flair meant tracking him in support usually paid dividends.
"He's got good footwork and a good fend on him," he said.
"He's the type of guy that can be a game breaker. If you're in the right place at the right time, you'll get the offload."
Among the Blues' beneficiaries against the Cheetahs was winger Doug Howlett, whose record-extending 59th Super rugby try in his 100th appearance came via a Toeava pass.
"You just set him free and follow him," Howlett said.
"He has been in some big games now and it's just nice to see that what he promised he has been able to produce on the field."
It was, Howlett said, a great feeling to be on the end of the Blues' present backline.
"You could say that for all the wingers, Joe [Rokocoko], Rudi [Wulf] and Anthony [Tuitavake]."
- NZPA
