Understudy pivot rapidly develops into leading man | Canterbury Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Canterbury

Rugby coaches are usually cautious in their praise of young players, but Rob Penney did not fudge when he talked about Stephen Brett after his masterful performance in the win over Wellington.

The 21-year-old was "superb, just growing every week, just getting a little bit better," he said. "He's developing into a world class fly half - no doubt about it."

Brett's 26-point contribution to the demolition of Wellington - sweet revenge for last year's NPC quarterfinal - gave fans several points to ponder.

How good can Brett get? Why have the rugby deities so generously blessed God's Own Province with so many gifted inside backs in the professional age?

Can Canterbury hang on to a player competing with world No.1 Dan Carter for the first-five jersey? How will he go when he's behind a pack less dominant than Canterbury at present? One of those questions was sagely answered by Brett himself after the match. Would he leave Canterbury?

"No, never," he said.

"Canterbury is where I want to play, and if DC's (Carter) there I want to go second-five with Azza (Aaron Mauger) leaving next year. We'll talk about it when Super 14 comes but I'm still worrying about NPC this year and playing 10." And he suggested he and Carter could "interchange," although "I'm not too sure what Deansie's thinking."

Brett looks to have it all - elusive running, clever no-look passes, tradesman-like goal kicking, and cultured tactical kicking.

Wellington studied Brett's deft kick into the left corner at Carisbrook to create a try for Scott Hamilton, but could not prevent him doing the same in the right corner at AMI Stadium on Saturday to set up Isaac Ross for a try.

Penney described it as a "phenomenal" kick.

"If it had been another metre it would have been over his head. If it had been a metre short the guy would have intercepted it. Pinpoint's a good word."

Of course a talented first five-eighths should look good when a team has the go-forward the Canterbury tight five is providing at present. Wellington coach Aussie McLean can be grumpy at the best of times - after that flimsy effort by his forwards, he must have been beside himself. Manawatu at AMI Stadium this Sunday - a rare afternoon match at the stadium - will provide Brett another opportunity to showcase all his skills, but Waikato away (September 1) and Auckland at home in the match likely to decide top spot (September 29) will be stiffer tests.

But the way Brett is playing at present, they can't come too soon for him or the fans.