Rawlinson gets nod to face his homeland

Greg Rawlinson has not been used since the tests against Ireland. Picture / Getty Images

PRETORIA - A two-month test lull is over for Greg Rawlinson, with the All Black lock pressed into a fascinating confrontation this weekend against the nation of his birth.

Durban-born Rawlinson has not been used since the two tests against Ireland as the selectors juggled their three most experienced locks, Chris Jack, Ali Williams and Jason Eaton.

However, in another of the intriguing ploys which have marked this All Blacks season, Rawlinson has been asked to mark up against the Springboks who chased him hard last year to join their squad.

Rawlinson has not played for the All Blacks since late June when the IRB ruled he had fulfilled the residential qualifications to play for New Zealand and he could rebuff overtures from Jake White and the Springboks.

He was the only member of the Tri-Nations squad not to get matchplay during the opening four tests.

The title reclaimed, the selectors earmarked the first away test against the Springboks as the best time to reintroduce Rawlinson. His hard grafting style would be a valuable antidote to the aggressive driving power of the Springbok pack.

There will be no need to motivate Rawlinson - his reselection and the fanatical crowd at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria will provide all the necessary inspiration.

Like Sivivatu, who starred on debut against his native Fiji, the All Blacks selectors will feel they will get full value from Rawlinson against his former countrymen.

Sivivatu is back after recovering from a series of leg problems and takes over from his cousin Joe Rokocoko on the left wing, while tighthead prop Greg Somerville also returns after mostly benchtime this winter.

Even before Carl Hayman was knocked out at Eden Park, the selectors had decided Somerville would play his 55th test in Pretoria.

"I have not had a lot of time at tighthead this year, most of this season I have been used on the other side [with the Crusaders]," he said.

But Somerville refreshed his knowledge in an unexpected 60 minute workout when he came on for the injured Hayman last weekend.

Somerville, 28, is another with experience of South African conditions, having spent his 7th form year on a scholarship in the eastern Cape.

He dismissed suggestions that the Springboks had lost a huge chunk of their tight five effectiveness with the absence of lock Bakkies Botha.

"It is tough for them though, they have had the hardest part of the draw so far ... " he said. "I think you will see the trueness of them come out in this test."