They may be neighbours but geographical proximity was the only thing Auckland had in common with North Harbour after easing to a 27-20 victory at Eden Park today.
The two sides continued the contrasting fortunes they experienced in last year's ITM Cup, with Harbour flattered by the scoreline as their local rivals ran out four tries-to-two winners.
Auckland's true quality may become more evident when the standard of the opposition improves, but last year's beaten finalists would have been disappointed they had to ensure a nervy finale.
Until Raymond Niuia's late try, it wasn't much of a battle. After earning three wins in the last two seasons and finishing bottom of last year's Championship, Harbour were hoping for a bounce-back year but, on this evidence, they may be in for another long campaign.
They did at least show fight when Auckland were threatening to run up the score, demonstrating they are more than capable of retaining possession even if they had to settle for insignificant gains.
For too long Harbour were lacking incisiveness in attack, something the home side brought in spades. Any Auckland attack came with a feeling of inevitability, and they will wonder why they ended they day with only four tries.
The opposition must take some credit, showing increased resoluteness in defence after a leaky opening half hour. But a lot of the blame should be attributed to the new scrum laws, with continual resets halting Auckland's momentum and ruining what was at times a running rugby spectacle.
It certainly began that way, with Auckland heading straight on attack, varying their raids and searching for space, which duly arrived when Lolagi Visinia went over in the corner.
The hosts' fast and flowing start continued when, after a spell of unproductive possession from Harbour, a marauding run from Joe Edwards established prime field possession. It didn't take long for Piri Weepu to turn the territory into points, diving at the base of the upright after a pick-and-go near the line.
Only 15 minutes were off the clock and it looked like it was going to be a long afternoon for Harbour. Last season's cellar dwellers were struggling to cope with the constant waves of Auckland attack, and it often seemed infringing was their only option.
And one such instance led to Auckland's third try, with Sam Prattley burrowing over after Auckland turned down a shot at goal.
It might have taken most of the half but Harbour finally got some forward momentum just before the break, allowing James Parsons to finish off a rolling maul to provide a boost heading into the sheds.
While the rugby may have been attractive when the ball reached the hands of the backs, it was anything but at scrum time. Both forward packs continued to struggle with the new scrum laws as the second spell began, with resets the order of the day.
The scrummaging problems slowed down the game, which frustrated Auckland and gave Harbour hope of making a game of the second half. But that hope was all but extinguished when Luke Braid grabbed the bonus-point try, going over unopposed when Auckland finally manufactured some quick ball, rendering Niuia's late try as mere consolation.
Auckland 27 (Visinia, Weepu, Prattley, Braid tries; Hickey 2 cons, pen) North Harbour 20 (Parsons, Niuia tries; Elrick 2 pens, 2 cons) HT: 22-10
