ps. Auckland are NPC champs - again!

Sim-ply Perfect!

Belated news buried under the RWC snorefest and the huge pile of work at my desk. I stayed up late (2:30 am) to watch the game - the first half was certainly exciting, but the 2nd-half made me think the players had been paying too close attention replicating the World Cup Q- and SFs.

Determined Auckland score treble

Sunday October 21, 2007
New Zealand Herald
by Lindsay Knight

Isa Nacewa, nursing a gash after being involved in a head clash in the first spell, capped his own splendid season and that of Auckland's, with another starring role in last night's Air New Zealand provincial rugby final at Eden Park.

Before a crowd of just 16,000, who again were drenched from Auckland's unseasonable weather, Nacewa landed three second-spell penalties as Auckland fought off a strong Wellington challenge, especially after the interval, to win 23-14.

Having scored one of Auckland's two first-spell tries, Nacewa finished with a personal tally of 18 points.

The win, even if it was not in the regal manner which seemed possible during a bright first spell, gave Auckland three notable milestones for the season: the Air New Zealand Cup premiership title, the Ranfurly Shield and an unbeaten championship record, the first time a team has gone through a season unbeaten since Auckland in 1990.

Read the rest.