Keeuws and Maling add to All Black tight five problems

By DANIEL GILHOOLY

The futures of prop Kees Meeuws and lock Simon Maling in New Zealand rugby remain shrouded but All Blacks coach Graham Henry is preparing to be without them on the end-of-season tour to Europe.

Prop and lock are providing the greatest selection headaches for Henry and his fellow selectors as they hone their thoughts for the 30-strong squad to play three tests in November.

"We haven't got the depth in the tight five that we've had in the past, that's one of our challenges," Henry told NZPA.

The likelihood that Meeuws and Maling will move offshore next year has only exacerbated the problem.

Aucklander Meeuws, among the All Blacks' best players this year, is understood to be signing with a French club but neither he nor his manager will confirm the move.

Maling is expected to sign with a Japanese club although negotiations continue. He may yet play out the next Super 12 season with the Highlanders.

Henry was reluctant to completely rule the pair out of tour contention until their movements became official.

"There's going to be an announcement and it's up to those guys, if they are moving offshore, to do that," Henry said.

"My understanding is that both are unlikely to be available for the end of year tour but I haven't been given that exact word yet ... I think there's still some contractural issues outstanding."

The All Blacks are sure to be fully tested in the test against France on November 27. Boasting one of the best scrums and lineouts in the game, France thoroughly overpowered the new-look New Zealand tight five at Paris two years ago.

Three of this year's squad -- Carl Hayman, Greg Somerville and Tony Woodcock -- are likely to tour and should cover Meeuws' absence to a degree.

However, the stocks are thinner at lock, particularly with Keith Robinson out for the remainder of the year following knee surgery and Ali Williams only returning to action now from ongoing headaches.

Also, Troy Flavell is in Japan while Brad Thorn is returning to rugby league in Brisbane.

Canterbury's Chris Jack stands head and shoulders above other contenders.

"I think Chris Jack is playing some of the best rugby I've seen him play, he played very well against Waikato at the weekend," Henry said of the match at Hamilton on Friday, which he described as the best of the NPC so far.

He did not think Jack had played too much rugby this year, having had a month-long break between the Tri-Nations and joining the NPC in round five.

Henry confirmed he would not be leaving many of his 2004 squad members at home as predecessor John Mitchell did for the 2002 season-ending tour.

"Unless there are people we think should stay behind and recover from injury or have had a huge year and need some time out of the game, then we're taking our best team," he said.

Henry, assistant coaches Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen, and fourth selector Sir Brian Lochore will announce the squad soon after the NPC first division final on October 23.

They gather as a foursome for the first time in the NPC this weekend, planning to be present together at every round eight match apart from Saturday's clash between Bay of Plenty and Southland.

Henry was reluctant to discuss the selection chances of individual players.

"Players who are standing out are obvious to the public. Once I start talking about it, it puts real pressure on them. I don't want to do that for obvious reasons.

"In due course those things will come out."

His chief concern was the fate of international-laden teams Canterbury and Auckland, who may yet have left their runs too late to earn semi-final spots, thus leaving their players with less exposure to the selectors.

- NZPA