McAlister and Somerville to tour with All Blacks

Luke McAlister

North Harbour first five-eighth Luke McAlister's ankle injury is not serious and he will go on the grand slam rugby tour, All Blacks coach Graham Henry says.

The coach said McAlister, who hobbled off from Saturday's NPC semifinal against Auckland at Eden Park, would play at first-five in one test at least on the tour.

"He's pretty sore and he might not have been right to play this week, but it's nothing serious. He's got a sore ankle, a sore knee and a sore thigh," Henry told a Wellington newspaper.

Greg Somerville will also tour although he is not expected to be fit for the first match against Wales on November 5, Henry said.

The Canterbury prop, who tore his right calf playing against Auckland in the NPC-Ranfurly Shield match on October 8, can be carried in the All Blacks because there will be five props in the squad of 35.

"We don't need him for the first game," Henry said.

Henry also revealed he would take seven loose forwards on the tour for the tests against Wales, Scotland, England and Ireland.

"It's certainly been the area where there has been the most discussion," Henry said of the depth at loose forward.

"We spend more time talking about that area of the game than anywhere else and there are going to be some very good players who are disappointed, but we can't take everyone."

Flankers Richie McCaw and Jerry Collins and No 8 Rodney So'oialo must be automatic choices.

Junior All Black Chris Masoe was lauded for his play in the NPC by his Taranaki coach Kieran Crowley and Wellington's John Plumtree after the final round-robin match.

Canterbury's Aussie McLean believes Mose Tuiali'i is the best No 8 in the country at present.

Otago flankers Craig Newby and Josh Blackie reigned supreme against Canterbury on Friday night.

Auckland No 8 Jerome Kaino was outstanding in his side's 38-24 win against North Harbour with good support play, strong defence and effective runs on Saturday.

Waikato's Marty Holah is widely accepted to be McCaw's natural deputy, and teammate Sione Lauaki had been with the All Blacks before the NPC.

Players believed to be on the fringe of selection also include Auckland's Justin Collins and Daniel Braid. Their teammates Angus MacDonald and Bradley Mika offer alternatives as lock/loose forwards and Nick Williams has played well for North Harbour.

Even former All Blacks captain Reuben Thorne has shone at times on the blindside for Canterbury.

Henry confirmed he would take three halfbacks and was likely to pick two fullbacks and four wings.

He was delighted to see Mils Muliaina play well at centre for Auckland on Saturday night, but confirmed he would be picked at fullback.

"It's just good to see that he can play there. It gives us options and there are still a couple of selection issues in the backline and the players we are considering don't play in the same positions.

"It's an issue because we have so many guys who can play in different positions but it's only an issue of who we should pick."

Henry hopes that Saturday night's final between Auckland and Otago at Eden Park will give him the clues to decide that.

- nzpa