All Blacks: Rollercoaster for Ross who is told to harden up

Isaac Ross. Photo / Getty Images

Plenty of New Zealand's 1105 All Blacks have made brief cameos in the famous jersey but Isaac Ross has faced one of the sharpest rises and falls from favour over the past 16 months.

The 25-year-old made his international debut after a stellar 2009 Super 14 campaign with the Crusaders. Yet in the New Zealand Maori's Friday-night victory over Ireland, he could not even command a spot on the reserve bench.

After stepping in for the injured Ali Williams, Ross was calling the All Blacks lineouts and scoring tries in open play over eight tests. But he was axed following the loss to South Africa in Hamilton last August. He then missed the end-of-year tour after being told to go back to the gym and put some weight on his 2.01 metre, 111 kilogram frame. Ross did that, but was dropped for the Crusaders' tour to South Africa as he fell behind Brad Thorn, Chris Jack and Sam Whitelock in the locking ranks.

New Zealand Maori coach Jamie Joseph picked Ross for the win over the Barbarians last weekend but he was omitted this week. Hayden Triggs held his spot, Jarrad Hoeata moved across from blindside flanker and Romana Graham was used as back-up. Ross' selection chances were not helped by his decision to put family first. He returned home after the birth of his new baby, meaning he missed three days' training.

A diplomatic Joseph says Ross remains in his selection mindset - if they decide to play an open game. That seems less likely against the structured, set piece-oriented England side on Wednesday, especially after they dismantled the Australian pack despite losing the test last weekend in Perth.

"Isaac has been unfairly targeted over his non-selection in the Crusaders and All Blacks. He was picked on form but I felt Hayden, Jarrad and Romana offered more [on Friday night]. I know Isaac's portrayed as lacking scrummaging ability, but it's not the reason he's out of the team."

Joseph reserved special praise for Hoeata's transition.

"He's been playing under the radar but I've been watching him for a couple of years. He gets over the advantage line well, he's mobile and he's aggressive. As a coach, I've got massive confidence in him."

Former All Blacks lock Ian Jones can understand Joseph's thinking. He is not convinced the decision to remove Ross from the end-of-season tour was solely about bulking up.

"I know from personal experience you don't have to be X-amount of kgs to hit a ruck. It is more about a change to the way he approaches games. He needs an aggressive attitude when it comes to supporting ball-carriers, cleaning out bodies and blowing over the ruck. He also needs to convince himself to go in low and make some huge tackles.

"The trouble is, history is littered with guys given a chance to play for the All Blacks. But playing provincial or Super rugby well is different to excelling in tests."

Ross faces another dilemma if his reputation is tarnished as being soft in the scrum or at the breakdown. He is contracted in New Zealand until the end of 2011 - no doubt with the obligatory early out-clauses - but his chances of a decent northern hemisphere contract would diminish severely.

Joseph was pleased with the stability Ben Afeaki brought to the scrum as the starting tighthead prop against the Irish. His work rate and scrummaging against the Barbarians saw him favoured to start over Clint Newland. Triggs has also been getting a lot tighter at lock to add to his athletic ability around the field and in the lineout.