No place for Anton Oliver in All Black trial

By WYNNE GRAY

A change of All Black coach has meant no reprieve for hooker Anton Oliver.

In a brief conversation with Graham Henry, Oliver heard he was a reserve for the All Black trial on June 1, but would be released for three Barbarians games in Britain this month.

Andrew Hore and Keven Mealamu must now be favoured to square off as hookers in the trial, with perhaps Derren Witcombe, Tone Kopelani or Corey Flynn on the bench.

Oliver was assured his ranking with the new selection panel would not slide any further if he took up the Barbarians' option.

The 41-test hooker decided to take up the offer and the Herald understands he may be joined by others such as Bradley Mika and Greg Feek.

If there is any consolation for Oliver and his travelling companions it will be the considerable wages, believed to be about $30,000 each, they earn with the Barbarians.

Oliver had just returned to Dunedin Airport with the Highlanders last Sunday and was loading his bags into the car when Henry phoned.

"We had just got back from a hiding from the Blues when he called," Oliver said.

It was the second call he had in a year, telling him he was not in the frontline All Blacks.

"Initially my feeling was no different, it was 'shit' - no, more like 'bastard'," he said. "I think the feeling is still the same four days later."

Oliver felt he was coping better with the rejection this time. Last year, when coach John Mitchell delivered the same news, he was "hit for six".

This time he knew the emotional fallout, he had friends to talk to and was far more philosophical.

He conceded he was not good company for Highlanders team-mates Simon Maling, Tony Brown and Josh Blackie as he drove them into Dunedin, but he did not let on about his personal turmoil.

Unlike the public dissection of his game by Mitchell last year, Oliver had not been given any specifics from Henry about his failure to make the national trial.

"And I did not ask ... I don't know why," he said.

But he did ask whether the selectors-Henry, Steve Hansen, Wayne Smith and Sir Brian Lochore-would hold it against him if he had his first crack with the Barbarians.

"I have never done it before, but they said I went with their blessing. The All Blacks are the top team in the world and it remains my goal to make it back.

"It may take an injury or something now, but I won't stop having a go."

Since Oliver captained the All Blacks on their trip to Ireland, Scotland and Argentina in late 2001, his test career has stalled.