Now comes the real test for recalled Rawlinson

PRETORIA - Recalled All Blacks rugby lock Greg Rawlinson came through the easy part with flying colours.

Microphones under his nose, flashbulbs and television camera lights in the eyes, the South African-turned-Kiwi was the most popular All Black as media descended on the tourists' country lodge outside Pretoria this week.

He spoke well, relaxed and excited about his first test against his home country, in the Loftus Versfeld cauldron he remembers vividly from his younger days.

But it's now time for the serious stuff, a chance for Rawlinson to prove he is an international class lock in the injured James Ryan's absence after a tidy yet unspectacular debut in his first two tests against Ireland in June.

He doesn't need reminding about the size of his task against a powerful forward-orientated opposition including one of the world's premier locks, Victor Matfield, who has terrorised the All Blacks and Wallabies' lineouts this year.

Then there's kickoffs, where the All Blacks struggled to secure possession during their 34-27 win over the Wallabies last weekend; helping maintain their scrummaging strength with a completely changed tight five; and matching the power of defensive work that Chris Jack gets through every test.

Sound easy? "I've been pretty good this week so far. The first time I pulled on the black jersey it was quite a big moment, so I'm focused on the rugby now and feel I can deal with it a bit better," Rawlinson said.

"I've gone through it in my head a number of times but I think I'll be ready for it."

The 2m, 114kg Rawlinson, 28, played for the Durban-based Sharks in the Super 12 in 2003 but was frustrated at his lack of opportunities and moved up the ranks in New Zealand with Bay of Plenty and North Harbour.

His All Blacks debut snuck up quickly after he fulfilled the International Rugby Board's (IRB) eligibility criteria, and now with seven changes to the forward pack he's suddenly starting a test at Loftus Versfeld.

"It's quite strange. I played my first provincial game at Loftus so coming back here with the ABs is quite a big thing."

Southern coastal Durban and the predominantly Afrikaaner area of Pretoria are almost as far removed as you get in South Africa, so Rawlinson recalls feeling as much an outsider when he played his handful of matches here.

"I'm used to all of that (crowd atmosphere). Any opposition coming over here is going to get some abuse, but if there will be any more this time... I don't know, we'll have to see."

His role in the lineouts with recalled hooker Anton Oliver will be most under the microscope, as the most-discussed facet of the All Blacks' as-yet unbeaten season.

Rawlinson was confident with the lineout this week, saying the heavy work put in last week, by which time the team knew who was playing at Loftus, had paid off.

He laughed that his memory of "a bit of Afrikaans" language could even come in handy in deciphering the Springboks' calls.

Matfield will test him to the limit and Rawlinson will clearly know afterwards how he measures up on the big stage.

"He's obviously a great player, it doesn't get too much bigger."

Rawlinson is one of several forwards with points to prove, along with a second string front row of Neemia Tialata, Oliver and Greg Somerville, Chris Masoe starting his first test at No 8 and the rejuvenated Reuben Thorne given another chance at No 6.

Assistant coach Wayne Smith was confident they would meet the challenge.

"It's one of the benefits of the rotation policy -- it's created a real contest for the positions within the team and we play on that fact. They're going to be really up for the game," Smith said.

- NZPA