While first-fives Aaron Cruden, 20, and Robbie Robinson, 19, don’t have much meat on their bones, each is blessed with an astute rugby brain and an array of skills that have been painfully missing from the men in black.
Add to them exciting Wellington midfielders Charlie Ngatai, 18, and Robbie Fruean, 20, and coach Jamie Joseph has no reason to lament the absence of experienced All Blacks Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith.
Having captained the New Zealand team earlier this season to the world under-20 title and being named the tournament’s top player, Manawatu’s Cruden is hoping to win selection for the 2010 Hurricanes’ Super 14 squad.
That would seem a formality given his ability to read a game so well upon proving he’s got a smart head on those slim young shoulders.
Southland’s Robinson kicks longer and has a sharper pass but played fullback for the national under-20 team where his blistering pace revived memories of a young Christian Cullen. Having former All Blacks first-five Simon Culhane as his Southland coaching mentor is a special bonus for an electrifying teenager who’s more likely to fill the 2010 Highlanders pivotal role, with Hawke’s Bay flyer Israel Dagg expected to be retained at fullback.
Meanwhile, expect more fireworks from Ngatai and Fruean after strong performances in Wellington’s 21-13 win against a Hawke’s Bay side that had thrashed Auckland 47-13 in the first round.
Although only 18, Gisborne-raised Ngatai is a sharp, nuggety second-five blessed with good balance and swift acceleration to trouble any defence.
Outside him, powerful centre Fruean also has smart footwork and the passing skills that too many other so-called first-class players no longer seem to possess.
Given more time to develop their combination, Ngatai and Fruean should provide plenty of fireworks in making breaks and setting up tries for speedy wings Hosea Gear and David Smith.
With Fa’atonu Fili twice proving a clever first-five replacement, Wellington has the smartest backline in the Air New Zealand Cup.
Unfortunately for them, they also have the worst lineout.
Sharing top spot with Wellington as the only unbeaten teams after two rounds is Bay of Plenty and a gutsy Southland side that won its local derby against an Otago team that went close to relieving Wellington of the Ranfurly Shield in round one.
Strong in lineout and scrum, Southland have hard driving forwards and a backline that can sparkle with Robinson there to ignite it.
The cruel irony is that proud Southland is one of the four teams expected to be relegated next season regardless of how high they finish.
Apparently, it all comes down to dollars and cents. Which makes neither sense nor justice of culling smaller unions for bigger ones whose season’s record is less successful.
Meanwhile, having scored all of Canterbury’s points in their 22-16 win against an improved Auckland, it was good to see Daniel Carter step up another gear in his third game back since his Achilles tendon operation.
Undoubtedly the country’s classiest back, Carter should remain the inspiration for others who aspire to emulate his brilliance, built around his calm composure and excellent basic skills.
In the Air New Zealand Cup this weekend, all the Auckland regional teams are playing away: Northland v Auckland, at Kerikeri on Saturday, 2.35pm; Otago v North Harbour, at Dunedin on Thursday, 7.35pm; Tasman v Counties-Manukau, at Nelson on Sunday, 2.35pm.
