All blacks on the hunt for backup centre

Wellington midfielder Tamati Ellison is a leading candidate to replace Isaia Toeava in the All Blacks. Photo / Getty Images

Injury to Isaia Toeava will force the All Blacks selectors to cast their selection net over the Air NZ Cup in search of a backup centre.

Although Toeava has utility value, he shaped as the logical support to centre Conrad Smith on New Zealand's season-ending tour starting with a test against Australia in Tokyo on October 31.

However, a hip stress fracture will sideline the 23-year-old for three months - a major blow in a four-year test career most notable for its inconsistency.

Toeava showed in the All Blacks' last two tests - off the bench against South Africa in Hamilton and starting against Australia in Wellington - that he has the capacity to be a world class centre.

Smith, who is currently recuperating from a hamstring injury, will need a quality backup performer for the six-game tour.

Unavailable are two quality candidates, Waikato's Richard Kahui, who has missed the second half of the year after undergoing shoulder surgery, and Canterbury veteran Casey Laulala, who has signed with Welsh club Cardiff.

All Blacks backline coach Wayne Smith said second five-eighth Ma'a Nonu and fullback Mils Muliaina were both capable in that role but he was keen for a specialist to tour.

"We've got to have a look at who's playing well at 13 around the country," Wayne Smith told journalists today.

"We've got others in the squad who can cover the position, obviously, with Ma'a having played there before. Mils has played there before.

"(But) The position is open and form will play a part in our decision-making."

A leading candidate would be another Wellington midfielder, Tamati Ellison, who has trained with the All Blacks this year but hasn't played for five weeks after injuring his calf in a freak training incident.

Other options include experienced heads like North Harbour's Anthony Tuitavake or Hawke's Bay's Jason Shoemark while Wellington youngster Robert Fruean shapes as a star of the future.

Toeava will be rueing his luck after having recovered from a stress fracture in foot earlier this season.

All Blacks doctor Deb Robinson yesterday said a scan suggested Toeava would rest from any weight-bearing exercises for at least two months.

"Aside from his foot injury, Isaia had been suffering from intermittent gluteal muscle pain since the Super 14 but had been able to play," Robinson said.

"However, confirmation of the stress fracture means that he now needs up to three months rest from rugby."

- NZPA