Opensider Randell steps into big boots

By WYNNE GRAY

Links between Michael Jones and Taine Randell are many and playing comparisons would soothe the All Black selectors as they continue to search for an openside flanker.

Randell, a 40-test veteran and All Black captain during the uneasy times in the late 1990s, has been selected to play against Argentina on Saturday, his first international in the No 7 jersey.

That announcement came yesterday on the 14th anniversary of the first World Cup final, a match in which Jones starred after being a late choice for the tournament.

Jones' career was derailed when he suffered a horrendous knee injury against Argentina in 1989, but he fought back and was on the blindside when Randell made his test debut at No 8 against Fiji in 1997.

"I remember as a schoolboy watching Michael in that first World Cup and wondering, 'Who is this man?"' Randell recalled yesterday.

"Those were the days when there was not nearly as much rugby on television and we did not see those guys often."

Randell's selection will fuel discussion about whether he is a genuine opensider, a fill-in when there is not a great depth of talent for that place, or a utility player the selectors seem reluctant to dispense with.

"We do see him as a long-term possibility for the job," coach Wayne Smith said. "It depends on him really and how he performs."

Signals about Randell came late last year from Smith when he suggested that the 26-year-old become fitter and change roles. He had been tried at No 7 against the Pacific Barbarians and then against the Wallabies for NZ Maori.

Since Josh Kronfeld vacated the job there has been some unease about finding a regular successor.

"I want to be in the team and I want to nail this chance," Randell said.

"My style, I hope, will be a mix of linking, ball play, being strong on the tackle and maybe getting a few turnovers, but I think at this level, even players like Josh found it hard to get many of those."

After a brief stint with Scott Robertson in the position and a debut test from Super 12 revelation Marty Holah, the All Black selectors yesterday named Randell as one of their six changes for the Christchurch test against Argentina.

The others are the return of Jonah Lomu, Andrew Mehrtens and Justin Marshall, a test start for Carl Hayman and a debut for No 8 Jerry Collins.

The selections came with a strong denial from Smith that the rotation demeaned the All Black jersey.

"There may be that feeling out there, but no longer are there long tours for the All Blacks," he said.

"We are trying to replicate competition. We know these guys are all up to test-match level and this is a way of creating competition and ensuring they get some play."

In picking Collins, the panel wanted him to have the experience of Randell and Reuben Thorne in the loose forwards, while Marshall and Mehrtens were a combination who would revel on their home ground.

Elevation for the 20-year-old Collins should be especially sweet because he broke his leg at the same ground two years ago.

Mark Ranby was unfortunate because the selectors wanted to keep the Pita Alatini/Tana Umaga midfield mix going.

Mark Hammett suffered because he had to deputise for captain Anton Oliver.

As expected, Lomu is back on the wing. His return means an unfortunate exit for Doug Howlett, who was a star in the Super 12, but has suffered because the panel obviously wants to get Jeff Wilson into some type of form.

"We have picked Wilson to counter the Argentine kicking game," Smith said.

"He is multi-skilled and can give us a long kick down the lanes."

THE TEAM

Leon MacDonald, Jeff Wilson, Tana Umaga, Pita Alatini, Jonah Lomu, Andrew Mehrtens, Justin Marshall, Jerry Collins, Taine Randell, Reuben Thorne, Norm Maxwell, Troy Flavell, Carl Hayman, Anton Oliver (capt), Carl Hoeft.

Reserves: Doug Howlett, Tony Brown, Byron Kelleher, Marty Holah, Chris Jack, Greg Somerville, Mark Hammett.