All Blacks: Franks pushes up props' pecking order

Owen Franks was a surprise inclusion when the 22-man All Blacks squad was named today. Photo / Getty Images

Steve Hansen last month suggested the All Blacks' ugly test rugby performance against Italy should be "flushed down the dunny", but evidently one forward avoided having a stinker.

Owen Franks made his test debut in the second half of one of the All Blacks' least impressive outings in recent memory at Christchurch on June 27, and the 21-year-old tighthead prop showed enough vigour to retain his place on the reserves bench for the Bledisloe Cup test against Australia at Eden Park on Saturday.

A surprise inclusion when the 22-man squad was named today, Franks was selected ahead of Auckland's John Afoa to continue a rapid rise through New Zealand's propping ranks.

Franks, whose uncapped older sibling Ben played against Munster on last year's Grand Slam tour, can now contemplate his second cap after replacing Afoa in the 59th minute of the turgid 27-6 defeat of the Italians.

With Neemia Tialata restored to the tighthead side this weekend it was thought the 16-test Afoa would cover the front row.

But All Blacks assistant coach Hansen said Franks had earned a crack at Australia after his encouraging debut.

"We really like what we saw from Owen (against Italy).

"He's a very physical, forthright individual, he doesn't take too many backward steps and we want to see a bit more of him," he said.

Franks was originally blooded as Campbell Johnstone's understudy at Canterbury and made his provincial debut after Johnstone headed to France midway through last season's domestic competition.

A specialist tighthead, Franks made his Super 14 debut for the Crusaders this year, a campaign that eventually saw him eclipse his brother's achievements.

His challenge now is to press Tialata for the No 3 jersey, although Hansen said Afoa was still an option -- and would improve his chances if he was capable of also playing loosehead.

"He's still in our thoughts. We're asking him to upskill himself to be able to play both sides," Hansen said.

If premier loosehead Tony Woodcock is injured against the Wallabies, Tialata will take over that role.

Meanwhile, Hansen defended Tialata's contribution this season as his form continues to be scrutinised.

"He's had a really good week, he's scrummed well and trained well. There was a lot more intensity in his training," Hansen said.

The All Blacks forwards coach admitted Tialata, the All Blacks biggest prop at 127kg, took time to get into his work.

"The Super 14 has always been a bit of a mystery (for Tialata) but he's played well for us over the years and we're confident he'll continue to do this.

"He's a big man, that could be part of it. He does carry the odd niggle. He's got bad knees and a long campaign like the Super 14 is tough on him if he's not managed properly."

Tialata's current concern is a bulging disc in his neck which has blighted his performances since the Hurricanes' Super 14 semifinal loss to the Chiefs on May 22.

- NZPA