AUCKLAND CLAIMS AIR NZ CUP:

Superb generalship by first five-eighths Isa Nacewa complemented another solid Auckland forward display as it beat Wellington 23-14 in the Air New Zealand Cup final at Eden Park on Saturday night.

A crowd of 16,000 could only marvel at the control of a player who has been a consistently dominant force in the championship winning campaign, in spite of the fact that first five-eighths is not his preferred position.

That seemed to matter little as the game was played once again in driving Auckland rain with Nacewa scoring 18 points and calling the shots in the manner which has seen Auckland complete the feat of winning the championship, the Ranfurly Shield and being unbeaten for the first time since 1990, and it achieved the remarkable feat of winning the championship in another World Cup year.

The only occasion in which it has not won the Cup in a World Cup year was in 1991 when Otago was successful.

The intensity of the occasion resulted in more errors than in Auckland's near perfect display over Hawke's Bay in the semi-final of a week earlier, but its solid defence denied Wellington the vital time necessary in Auckland's 22m area to score the tries to put the pressure on the home side.

Auckland showed its hand from the first time it won ball as Nacewa ran straight and hard to break the first line of defence before being dragged down.

Despite rain sweeping in Auckland maintained the tactic, although its error rate during the first half negated the impact as Wellington tackled well and gave as good as it got.

However, after tries had been denied Auckland in the respective corners due to fine tackles by fullback Cory Jane in the first instance and wing Shannon Paku in the second, the dam finally broke.

Big No.8 Brad Mika looked to have coughed up a try scoring chance after making a break but then baulking on the pass.

However, from the ruck the ball was moved back to the left and big wing Jay Williams aqua-planed his way over in the corner to convince the television referee over the try, his first for Auckland.

Then after Nacewa converted from the sideline, Auckland rampaged back onto attack and from a seemingly blind corridor another try was created by livewire wing David Smith.

His sheer acceleration took him through the Wellington cover and when he was held he flicked a pass which was in fullback Brent Ward's hands for a millisecond as he swept it into Nacewa's hands for him to score and convert to take Auckland to a 14-3 lead after 24 minutes.

Wellington finally got into the Auckland 22m after 30 minutes and while not able to score initially, it broke back when Jane chipped ahead. The ball was taken by No.8 Thomas Waldrom who passed to Jane. However, the fullback slipped and got a pass to lock Jeremy Thrush.

As Waldrom was clattered from behind by Ward, when he didn't have the ball, Thrush had the presence of mind to hold the ball and drive towards the corner where he crossed for the try, once again after video evidence was considered in the 35th minute.

After Auckland went to halftime leading 14-8, Nacewa and Wellington first five-eighths Jimmy Gopperth landed two penalty goals apiece before both sides worked their All Blacks into the game. Wellington replacement No.8 Rodney So'oialo tempted fate with an explosive no-arms tackle on Ward but only a penalty was awarded.

More outstanding cover defence from Waldrom denied a try for wing Smith as Wellington once again denied the home team.

Rain swept in again and made handling something of a lottery.

Wellington had a possible chance after a Gopperth midfield up and under which was taken by replacement centre Conrad Smith. He attempted to slip a pass to Thrush but the lock was unable to hold the ball with the goalline beckoning 30m away.

Thrush just missed another chance in the 66th minute after replacement forward Troy Flavell was sin-binned for slowing ball down in a ruck. Gopperth's penalty shot rebounded off the post and Thrush following up just failed to grasp the ball.

Auckland managed to escape when from the resulting lineout Gopperth dropped the ball and the ball was scrambled downfield.

Again it was Nacewa who carried his side to safety after Wellington was penalised just inside his own half. He calmly put the ball between the posts from 48m out.

Wellington had another late chance but it was only academic as Auckland had moved past the safety of the seven-point barrier and its victory was assured.

Scorers:
Auckland 23:
(Jay Williams, Isa Nacewa tries; Nacewa 2 con, 3 pen)
Wellington 14:
(Jeremy Thrush try; Jimmy Gopperth 3 pen). HT: 14-8