All Blacks' build-up a mixed affair

The Grand Slam-seeking All Blacks may stage a pre-tour game among themselves to compensate for their lack of NPC involvement.

That solution has been canvassed by the national panel and was mentioned by coach Graham Henry yesterday as conjecture grew about the absence of captain Tana Umaga and others from the NPC.

They are resting or being returned gradually to the NPC on the advice of the medical and coaching staff. Umaga is due to resume in the last round-robin game, but may not bother if Wellington are out of playoffs contention.

That would leave him without any match play for nine weeks from the final Tri-Nations test until he leads the All Blacks out to play Six Nations champions Wales on Guy Fawkes Night in Cardiff.

"We may have to have a game among ourselves for those who have not had a lot of rugby," Henry said.

Other All Blacks believed to be due back late in the NPC because of their test workload include Richie McCaw, Mils Muliaina, Rico Gear, Aaron Mauger, Rodney So'oialo, Chris Jack, Tony Woodcock and Keven Mealamu.

Wellington coach John Plumtree revealed that Umaga was unlikely to resume unless his province made the final four, and Muliaina faces a logjam to get back into the Auckland side late in the competition.

Henry is not concerned about his skipper's lack of match practice before the four-test tour against Wales, Ireland, England and Scotland in November.

"Is a game in the NPC enough football? We will wait and see . . . who knows?

"I guess we will make those sort of decisions as time goes on. Is one game better than none?"

Henry spoke of the merits of some of the 35-strong touring squad having a trial game in Auckland before their departure for Britain.

"Tana needed a good rest after the international programme and he is the sort of guy who can switch on very quickly, so we are lucky.

"He has played enough big-time football, he is the most experienced [71 tests] obviously, and has had enough big-time football to make those sorts of decisions.

"Guys who have played a lot less and are a lot younger find that more difficult."

Meanwhile, All Black manager Darren Shand confirmed he was part of a group investigating allegations that All Black flanker Sione Lauaki assaulted a man outside a Parnell bar.

The victim decided not to press charges after allegedly being assaulted by Lauaki the day after the third test against the Lions in July.

As part of their contracts, every All Black agrees to uphold a code of conduct which applies to behaviour on and off the field.

"We are still working through it at the moment, that is all we can say," Shand said yesterday.

"It depends on the people who are working on it.

"We just have to work through things in an appropriate manner."