Picking No 8 a real poser

By WYNNE GRAY

Substitute pick the All Black No 8 for pin the tail on the donkey.

It seems to have been almost that way since Zinzan Brooke scarpered to Britain after the 1997 tour there.

In the subsequent 64 internationals, the All Blacks have used eight different players in the boot of the scrum, while Paul Miller was also tried in several tour games in 2001.

And a new All Black selection panel means there is every chance the dice will be rolled again. But in whose favour? The latest Super 12 series has, if anything, created greater indecision.

That conclusion is emphasised after quizzing a collection of former All Black No 8s, captains, selectors and coaches.

There is unanimity about the difficulty of the decision and additional agreement that Richie McCaw is without peer as an opensider.

Since 1998, Taine Randell has been used as a No 8 in 20 tests, Ron Cribb in 15, Jerry Collins in 12, Scott Robertson in 9, Rodney So'oialo in 4, Sam Broomhall in 2, while Isitolo Maka and Xavier Rush both earned a solitary cap.

The central choices this year seem to be Rush and Collins, with Rush providing a leadership factor while the Hurricanes hardman is also in the frame to play on the blindside flank.

Complications come with ideas about whether Collins could supplant blindside competitors such as Jono Gibbes, Reuben Thorne, Craig Newby or whether McCaw could be shifted to accommodate Marty Holah.

Former All Black selector and provincial loose forward Peter Thorburn rates Mose Tuiali'i as the best prospect for No 8 because of his speed, ball handling and distribution.

"But I think it is too soon for him," Thorburn said. "While he has good skills he also needs a lot more work on his game."

Thorburn wants a blindsider who jumps and picks Gibbes to partner McCaw with the dependable and abrasive Collins as his No 8.

Former All Black skipper Ian Kirkpatrick thought Collins deserved to be somewhere in the loose forward mix but wondered if his style was a little one-dimensional.

"Rush may be the most equipped to play No 8 because I think we have got to have guys who have been there before," he said.

"No 8 used to be our strength but these days it looks a bit of a lottery."

Another former All Black skipper from No 8, Andy Leslie is all for those such as Rush and Gibbes, who have served some decent time in rugby.

"We need hardened blokes when the chips are down. Gibbes has been inspirational and I have a big tick for him somewhere.

"Rush was talked about a lot at the start of the season but the Blues have not performed. I think he has a huge amount of merit and is also a respected leader."

No 8 turned-commentator Murray Mexted preferred to make his choice once the Super 12 was completed. He thought the selectors would look at two types of combination.

"The best No 8s need time on the track and in the job. It is a position for mature players, you can't use guys with little experience unless they have very solid skills.

"I admired players like Deon Muir and Errol Brain who may have lacked some real gas but became very good technicians."

Former All Black coach Alex Wyllie thought Collins should be included in a squad but he had not seen anyone who demanded selection.

"No 8 is our greatest problem," he said. "When we can't guarantee that we will dominate up front then we have problems for our loosies. We have runners at No 8 not grafters who can knock guys over."