All Blacks: Selectors sweat on fitness of number 10s

Playmakers Luke McAlister and Stephen Donald trained encouragingly enough today to prompt the All Blacks to delay their team naming ahead of Saturday's Tri-Nations rugby opener against Australia.

Both first five-eighth options ran relatively freely in the squad's first practice session - suggesting they will be available when the side are named early on Wednesday, a day later than planned.

Donald's prospects of playing the Bledisloe Cup opener were all but written off by head coach Graham Henry last week but the Waikato pivot - Daniel Carter's original understudy - worked his fragile hamstring today without any apparent ill effects.

Back spasms prevented McAlister from playing club rugby for two weekends following his unsatisfactory performance in the No 10 jersey against Italy at Christchurch. However, he was unbothered today as he led what seemed to be a shadow test backline.

The improving health of two players who have admittedly polarised opinion in Carter's absence are a bonus for the All Blacks selectors.

They otherwise have to consider playing halfback Piri Weepu or the uncapped Stephen Brett opposite Wallabies maestro Matt Giteau at Eden Park.

Despite an unimpressive opening half against Italy, McAlister appears to have the inside running on Donald, who has not played since the All Blacks squared their series 1-1 with France in Wellington on June 20.

However, Donald is the specialist No 10 and highly rated by the All Black selectors despite two mixed performances against the French.

The All Blacks coaching staff were unavailable for comment today but halfback Brendon Leonard articulated the benefit of having both Donald and McAlister back in the frame.

"I'd say the coaches would be pretty pleased," he said.

"They were chopping and changing, and both had a decent run. They've both been there before, so I think they'd be pretty confident that whoever steps into that jersey will be able to do the job."

Halfback and wing are the other areas of conjecture in the backline although Jimmy Cowan appears likely to start behind the scrum after Leonard also endured a torrid night against Italy in what was his first cap since the World Cup.

On the wings, Joe Rokocoko may be surplus to requirements following Sitiveni Sivivatu's return from a shoulder injury.

Sivivatu looks certain to regain the left wing berth Rokocoko occupied against France and Italy, despite not playing since the Chiefs Super 14 semifinal against the Hurricanes on May 22.

Despite ending a seven-test scoring drought against Italy, Rokocoko had struggled for form and seems likely to be squeezed out by Wellington fullback Cory Jane.

The forward pack selection is straightforward, with captain Richie McCaw and Rodney So'oialo back to strengthen the loose forward trio while Andrew Hore is in line to start at hooker for the first time since suffering rib cartilage damage early in the loss to France in Dunedin.

Flankers Kieran Read and Tanerau Latimer and hooker Keven Mealamu will make way although Read and Mealamu should make the bench.

Latimer might also feature if the selectors feel an underdone McCaw is unable to last 80 minutes against arch rival George Smith.

McCaw missed the June internationals with a knee injury and launched his comeback by playing club rugby in Christchurch last weekend.

Although he and veteran No 8 So'oialo were short of a gallop, their presence alone lifted the squad.

"It's huge having the skipper back, and Rodney. You can't replace that experience," said prop Neemia Tialata, tipped to regain the tighthead role after missing the Italian match with a neck injury.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans will named his 22-man squad tomorrow. They arrive in Auckland on Wednesday.

- NZPA