So who's man enough to wear Umaga's jersey?

Ma'a Nonu

Golfers talk of the third round as moving day.

Sure, you win the tournament on the final nine holes on the Sunday, but to get into a challenging position, a player must make his move on day three.

So it will be with New Zealand's leading centres over the course of this year's Super 14 and inaugural Air New Zealand Cup.

The door which has No 13 on it and has been locked for the last three years with the name T. Umaga stencilled on the front, is now open and sitting inside are the All Black selectors awaiting expressions of interest.

There is a World Cup towards the end of next year in France. That's the fourth year of international rugby's great cycle, but it is this year when players will be jockeying for first dibs on Umaga's old seat.

So who is in the frame, and what qualities are needed? Has the position changed significantly in the last few years and who is best equipped for the modern game?

All Black great Bruce Robertson believes the increased physical contact in the game now must be taken into account when considering the candidates.

As the premier centre of his generation, Robertson's hold on the position over 102 games and 34 tests for the All Blacks from 1972-81 was every bit as secure as Umaga's.

Certainly they were vastly different footballers, Robertson's gliding running style and awareness of possibilities around him contrasting with Umaga's vastly more direct, confrontational methods.

"Obviously the game is a lot more high contact nowadays," said Robertson, who will be aiming to lift Northland's fortunes as assistant coach this year.

He pointed out his midfield partner in 16 tests, Bill Osborne, was similar to Umaga.

"You could say they were backs through and through but had the skills of a loose forward. They could run and pass like a back but also had the ability to mix it at the breakdown, secure turnover ball and defend very well."

But the days when backs would prefer to stand off and let the forwards do the grubby work at ruck and maul are gone. As Robertson acknowledged, now it's all hands to the pump if the breakdown is in your vicinity.

"The difference between our time and now is it was a lot less intense than nowadays. The defences have got a lot more sophisticated and you have to be smarter on attack."

Robertson applauds the All Black selectors' willingness to get a good look at their options while Umaga was still around.

The likes of Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu may be at the top of the list, but Robertson believes if the selectors are still mulling their options by the end of this year it's no big deal.

"Absolutely. Time and games together are good but in the United Kingdom last year, they had two different teams and were very successful in that approach.

"In our day, if you got in the team you liked to stay there. You didn't like to give it up for anyone. They've got a group there now where they can play two teams."

Robertson's recipe for the ideal centre in the modern game goes like this:

* Must have passing and running skills, ideally can take the inside as well as the outside gap.

* Needs a good range of evasive skills and be a strong defender, on both shoulders.

* Needs to get up in support and provide backup, and that requires good speed.

* And should have some grubber and chip-kicking skills to unlock tight defensive lines.

What about converting a Rico Gear or Mils Muliaina from wing or fullback? Mmmm ...

"They can both play it very well, so you know you've got those guys in there in a backup capacity. But probably not as first choice initially."

Robertson mentioned the usual suspects as being in the frame, and made the point there should be no lack of incentive.

There was a hint he liked aspects of Smith's style - looking for space rather than contact - and Anthony Tuitavake, Casey Laulala, Ma'a Nonu, Sam Tuitupou and Ben Atiga all rated a mention.

Robertson sounded like he has a soft spot for the Crusader Laulala, who is from Robertson's old stamping ground at Counties Manukau. He had a tough last year but ...

"That happens to us all. You have one or two good years and people work you out.

"You've got to be clever and have plan A, B and C. Casey needs to sit down and evaluate his season and move on from there."

The book on No 13 opens on February 10, when the Blues host the Hurricanes to start the Super 14.

The first inkling of the selectors thinking comes on June 10, the first test of the post-Umaga era, against Ireland in Hamilton.


The leading candidates

* Conrad Smith (left): The 24-year-old Hurricane has played six tests, five in the starting XV since his debut against Italy late in 2004. More brain than brawn. Intelligent runner, thoughtful distributor, lacks an element of pace, brave, if lightweight defender.

* Ma'a Nonu: Eleven tests since his 2003 debut against England for the blockbusting, dreadlocked Wellingtonian. All power, a Route One attacker. Robust defender, questions over his distribution skills.

* Anthony Tuitavake (below right): Uncapped, but narrowly missed the end-of-year trip to Britain after a sizzling NPC for North Harbour. Quick, good support player with a nose for the tryline. Wholehearted tackler, but might need to bulk up defensively.

* Mils Muliaina (below left): Why not? The All Black fullback has had plenty of experience in the role and unless his form falls into the bin in the next 18 months, clearly has a part to play somewhere in the World Cup campaign. Sound all round. With 35 tests, he's becoming a senior member of the squad.

* Seilala Mapusua: The tough tackling Highlander had a strong year. A shade one-dimensional, but more of the same this year and he won't be accused of not putting his hand up.

* Casey Laulala: Failed to shine at Canterbury last year after catching the eye, and getting his All Black debut against Wales, in 2004. Talented runner, but has some lost ground to make up this year.

And don't forget ...

* Blues pair Sam Tuitupou and Ben Atiga, both of whom have had test experience in the last three years.

* And if you fancy a real longshot, what about young Chiefs and Counties Manukau player Niva Ta'auso. The hard-running former Wesley College pupil made a strong impression as a late arrival at the Chiefs last year. It will be worth keeping an eye on his development this year.