Tasesa's poser - to tour or not to tour?

It's just Tasesa Lavea's luck that the instant his boat comes in, it sinks in the harbour. Having won selection for the Pacific Islanders' tour of the UK in November, he might now have to pull out as his involvement could potentially cost him his career in New Zealand.

Lavea's contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union is understood to state that he must make himself available for the All Blacks. Playing for the Pacific Islanders doesn't capture his eligibility but his selection was dependent on him declaring his allegiance to Samoa.

So he's in a bit of a sticky jam, as the NZRU say his declaration of intent contravenes the terms of his contract and, if he's no longer eligible for the All Blacks, then he's worth much less in financial terms.

If he commits to the Pacific Islanders, he might have to accept a greatly reduced salary and the prospect of him heading overseas becomes more likely. Or he can flag the tour and declare himself eligible for New Zealand again.

It's going to be a tricky call for the 25-year-old as the idea of going to the World Cup with Samoa carries massive appeal.

Lavea politely declined to talk about the matter this week but his relaxed demeanour suggested this latest saga is just another bump in a career all too accustomed to surfing the waves of mixed fortune.

As Auckland coach Pat Lam said after Lavea gave his most commanding performance of the season against Otago: "Tasesa is the most criticised player in New Zealand."

That criticism was intense during this year's Super 14 when Lavea's form slumped playing behind a pack that was too often being served on toast.

His confidence was rocked, too, and the worst came against the Waratahs in Sydney when he put a simple kick to touch dead in goal. Australian commentator Greg Martin was moved to state straight after: "That's cruelty to animals, keeping him out there."

Lavea has somehow laughed off all that and never lost the belief that he deserved to be playing at the top level. "I have never actually seen it. People have told me about it," he says of the infamous Martin episode. "When you are not playing well, you know you are not playing well and that is what affects your confidence. I always knew the coaches and the boys had faith in me. My focus was on delivering consistent performances.

"I can't stress enough there was only so much I could have done. We weren't going too well up front and a lot of the ball was slow. I think you can see how hard it is for Nick Evans just now. He was really going well at the start of the season but things have slowed down because he hasn't had that platform to work from."

Delivering week in, week out remains Lavea's priority. And he knows he will have to do that not just to fulfil his goals but to hold his place in the side.

Lavea can't hide his determination to be reselected for the franchise. It irks him that his best games have all come playing for Auckland. That suggests he's more comfortable there than he is at Super 14.

He'd love to shatter that perception and provide proof he's got the goods at the next level up.

"I can only hope I get reselected for the Blues and the only way I can do that is to play well for Auckland."