Spotlight on formidable Lauaki

The spotlight is once again on Sione Lauaki. Picture / Fotopress

In devising their plans for the Lions series, the All Black selectors are keen to develop ball-running forwards, with the spotlight once more on the formidable presence of Sione Lauaki.

Last year he was so devastating for the Pacific Islanders against the All Blacks that legendary loose-forward Michael Jones felt Lauaki should have been a late inclusion in New Zealand's Tri-Nations squad.

It was a striking observation from Jones, who takes care with his public utterances.

The All Black selectors noted and digested the comments before sticking with Jono Gibbes at blindside flanker and Jerry Collins as his back-up.

Since then Gibbes has been considered as a lock who also plays flanker, while Collins was promoted to the test No 6 jersey where he displayed some deft continuity to go with his ball-carting and defensive presence.

With Keven Mealamu and Chris Jack, Collins was someone to take the ball ahead and breach the advantage line.

Lauaki's form faded in the NPC as his physique enlarged, but in the latter stages of this year's Super 12 the menace returned, while there have been upbeat comments about his defensive workrate.

The All Black selectors will get another chance to assess Lauaki's merits tonight in the national trial in Napier, with an initial assessment available tomorrow when they name a squad of 22 to play Fiji next Friday.

There may not be room for Lauaki in that mix, but there could be scope for him to be a part of a 26-strong group which will be chosen for the Lions series.

He can be as venomous as Ma'a Nonu with the ball, and his tackling is the sort that can provoke turnovers for an All Black backline.

Loose-forward choices for the playing XV and bench cover are plentiful outside the certain selection of openside flanker Richie McCaw.

McCaw, Collins and Rodney So'oialo started the last test against France. Other contenders are Marty Holah, Craig Newby, Josh Blackie, Lauaki, Gibbes, Reuben Thorne, Mose Tuiali'i and Steven Bates, who captains the Probables from No 8 tonight.

All Black captain Tana Umaga and his deputy McCaw have been excused the trial, but both will meet the selectors afterwards to discuss the squad for Fiji. Fullback and centre option Mils Muliaina will also miss the trial and perhaps the Fiji test because of a shoulder problem.

However, the medical staff have no worries about his fitness for the Lions series. Thoughts about picking him at centre will have to be weighed up and compared with Conrad Smith's work tonight.

Hooker Anton Oliver continues to heal after his calf tear, but it appears less likely he will be picked for Otago against the Lions a week before the first test. Another hooker, Andrew Hore, will captain the Possibles and then wait to see if he makes the test squad or is available to play for Taranaki against the Lions mid-week.

"It is tough, I'd like to do both if selected," he said.

"I got to where I am because of Taranaki and it would be a once-in-a-lifetime chance. But if I get picked for the All Blacks that is the highest honour."

All Black coach Graham Henry said that, barring injury, he had sorted out about 21 of his 26-strong squad for the Lions series. There was just some tweaking and finetuning needed so every position was covered.

The mix would likely be 15 forwards and 11 backs.

He nominated hooker, lock, loose-forward combinations and five-eighths as areas of most interest, before adding halfback, wing and centres to cloud any conclusions.

For some such as young lock James Ryan, utility five-eighths Nick Evans, Bates, wing Sitiveni Sivivatu and fullback Sosene Anesi, this evening could promote them to the next level.

For most there are NZ Junior jerseys to shoot for, while Nick Williams, Bryce Williams and Kevin O'Neill are players identified as prospects for the 2007 World Cup.

* Napier, 7.10 tonight

Probables

Sosene Anesi, Doug Howlett, Casey Laulala, Seilala Mapusua, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Nick Evans, Byron Kelleher, Steven Bates (c), Craig Newby, Sione Lauaki, Ali Williams, James Ryan, C Johnstone, Derren Witcombe, Tony Woodcock

Possibles

Ben Atiga, Scott Hamilton, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Brent Ward, Stephen Donald, Steve Devine, Nick Williams, Josh Blackie, Chris Masoe, Kevin O'Neill, Tom Donnelly, John Afoa, Andrew Hore (c), S Taumoepeau

Reserves:

Probables: Keven Mealamu, Clarke Dermody, Brad Mika, Rodney So'oialo, Jimmy Cowan, Andrew Mehrtens, Tane Tu'ipulotu.

Possibles: Tone Kopelani, Carl Hoeft, Bryce Williams, Jerry Collins, Jamie Nutbrown, Jimmy Gopperth, one to be added.