'Chainsaw' Laney makes the cut for Scotland

By WYNNE GRAY

EDINBURGH - Brendan Laney completed an improbable journey into test rugby early today when he was chosen to play for Scotland against the All Blacks at Murrayfield on Sunday.

The 28-year-old was the latest to join the list of kilted kiwis, selected for Scotland just over a week after arriving in the country.

"Chainsaw" Laney's rapid elevation will have historians scouring the record books to see whether he or fellow New Zealand team-mate John Leslie hold the mark for the quickest Scottish selection. Leslie played his first test for Scotland 11 days after arriving in the country and Laney's debut will also be on his 11th day here.

"I managed to track Dad down to tell him," Laney said. "He's been out working on the rubbish trucks in Temuka and it took a bit to track him down. This is just great.

"It's happened incredibly quickly, far quicker than I ever anticipated, but I've got to make the most of it."

Laney has been selected as fullback in a Scottish side which carries four changes from that beaten by Argentina last weekend. Chris Paterson and Jon Steel are both new wings, Laney takes over from Derek Lee and another Kiwi, Gordon Simpson, replaces injured No 8 Jon Petrie.

The All Blacks and Scotland have met on 23 previous occasions, with Scotland's best result being two draws at Murrayfield in 1964 and 1983.

Meanwhile, the cleaned first black jersey and test cap numbered 1005 are locked in Aaron Mauger's luggage. They are not going anywhere except back home.

However, after his position in the All Blacks was reconfirmed yesterday for the Scottish test, the young second five-eighths can swap jerseys with his opposite after the match.

Few doubted coach John Mitchell would name an unchanged XV and reserves bench for Sunday, and so it proved.

No tinkering was needed in selection, just performance.

Mauger's start against Ireland was encouraging and the selectors want to continue with his ball distribution skills and pattern which they feel will best serve the back four.

For the second five-eighths, who turns 21 next week, there was the same amount of tension waiting for his name to be read out as there was before his test debut selection against Ireland.

"You get one game and you are always hungry for another, but there is always that nervousness waiting for your name," he said.

While Mauger was seen a lot more at first five-eighths in Super 12 because of the absence of Andrew Mehrtens, he does feel comfortable in midfield.

"I played at centre for Christchurch Boys High and also second five-eighths and do that job for my club as well," he said.

When this tour is over he will be conferring with All Black and Crusaders coach Robbie Deans about his positional destination next season in Super 12.

Midfield is just fine now - not everyone has a black jersey with the No 12 on the back.

All Blacks: Leon MacDonald, Doug Howlett, Tana Umaga, Aaron Mauger, Jonah Lomu, Andrew Mehrtens, Byron Kelleher, Scott Robertson, Richard McCaw, Reuben Thorne, Norm Maxwell, Chris Jack, Greg Somerville, Anton Oliver (capt), Greg Feek. Res: Caleb Ralph, Ben Blair, Mark Robinson, Marty Holah, Dion Waller, Dave Hewett, Tom Willis.

Scotland: Brendon Laney, Jon Steel, James McLaren, John Leslie, Chris Paterson, Gregor Townsend, Andy Nicol, Gordon Simpson, Andrew Mower, Jason White, Stuart Grimes, Scott Murray, Mattie Stewart, Gordon Bulloch, Tom Smith (capt). Res: Steve Scott, George Graham, Iain Fullarton, Simon Taylor, Graeme Burns, Gordon Ross, Andrew Henderson.