Umaga intent on facing Wallaby foes

Tana Umaga

Tana Umaga has signalled his intention to lead the All Blacks' Bledisloe Cup defence on Saturday, although his ankle injury has persuaded the selectors to delay naming their side until today.

The 32-year-old captain strolled around the practice field in inner Sydney yesterday in his sandshoes while the rest of his team-mates, apart from concussed halfback Byron Kelleher, played a mix of soccer and touch rugby.

When training finished, Umaga said he was optimistic his damaged left ankle would allow him to take part in a session tomorrow and the test in Sydney on Saturday.

The team is sure to include Umaga, although he may be bracketed at centre with his provincial team-mate Conrad Smith.

Indications are that Sitiveni Sivivatu has recovered from the shoulder and calf problems that eliminated him from the test against the Springboks and he will take his regular place on the left wing.

The Wallabies suffered another glitch in their selection yesterday when hooker Jeremy Paul flew to Sydney from the team base in Coffs Harbour to see a specialist after aggravating a neck injury.

If there is an unfavourable diagnosis for Paul, either Brendan Cannon or Stephen Moore will be named in the starting side.

Cannon returned to club rugby only at the weekend after suffering achilles tendon troubles in the Super 12 final but coach Eddie Jones may opt to use his experience to start the test.

All Black changes are expected to be minimal after the 22-16 defeat that began their Tri-Nations campaign at Newlands.

Piri Weepu will start because of Kelleher's concussion and there will be debate about the starting merits of Mils Muliaina at fullback, and Derren Witcombe and Greg Somerville in the front row.

However in judging the side to have lost in Cape Town because they were "rusty", coach Graham Henry could also have said they would be better for another run together in the Bledisloe Cup.

That side, apart from the injured Sivivatu, was judged to be the strongest available.

The selectors need to test that judgment again and decide whether the same side can handle the increased stress this weekend.

Henry and his side need to break their offshore cycle of Tri-Nations defeats - and continuity in selection would seem one of their strongest weapons for doing that.

They can talk as much as they like about building the depth in the squad in a long-term strategy for the 2007 World Cup, but this week is about a successful defence of the Bledisloe Cup, some substance and clarity from the top players.

If that does not occur then the panel can try alternative plans in the domestic Tri-Nations internationals.

Umaga is a key component in reclaiming the authority that disappeared at Newlands. He was the player of the series against the Lions but strangely ignored in much of the play last weekend.

His midfield power has to be harnessed and his defence will be crucial against the bulky Wallaby midfield of Morgan Turinui and Stirling Mortlock.

* French and English referees will control the All Blacks' two home tests in the Tri-Nations.

French official Joel Jutge will referee the Springbok test at Carisbrook on August 27, with Englishman Chris White and Italian Guilio De Santis on the touchlines.

White will referee the Australian test at Eden Park on September 3 with Jutge and fellow Frenchman Christophe Berdos on the lines.

Saturday night's test in Sydney will be refereed by England's Tony Spreadbury.