'Veteran' speedster feeling sharp

Doug Howlett popped up all over the field against Ireland last weekend. Picture / Reuters

Doug Howlett sits back in wonderment that he's become the 21st All Black to play 50 tests.

Not for lack of faith in his ability, but for the calibre of speed merchants he's had to fight his way past in a five-year career.

When he started, present captain Tana Umaga, Jonah Lomu and Jeff Wilson were ruling the roost - now it's the fabulous foursome of Howlett, Rico Gear, Joe Rokocoko and Sitiveni Sivivatu causing the selectors sleepless nights.

In one of the closest selection calls of the year, Howlett got the ultimate show of faith this week when he pipped the in-form Gear to the No 14 jersey for tomorrow's game against England.

"To have four wingers of the calibre we do at the moment is exceptional," he said.

If he can be classed a wily veteran at age 27, Howlett knew the right time to pull out a big game.

Against Ireland last weekend he popped up all over the field, was rewarded with two tries and was only a bootlace from a third.

It took him to 41 tries in his career, just three behind Wilson's haul and within five of Christian Cullen's New Zealand test record of 46 tries from 58 matches.

"I'm aware of what Rico's doing but I go about my business my way," he said.

"I can just do what I do and leave that to the coaches. I was happy with how I played at the weekend, and left the tough decisions up to the coaches."

The former national schools 100m hurdles champion while at Auckland Grammar School, Howlett plays down the competition among the speedsters in the present team.

They don't race each other at training, but he concedes that Rokocoko is the fastest "by a nose".

After being unwanted for the majority of the Lions and Tri-Nations series, Howlett set about returning to form, which he did with Auckland's NPC team.

Despite Gear looking to have a mortgage on the 14 jersey, Howlett was always confident he'd get back.

"I felt I had a lot more to offer the All Blacks and it was just a matter of time.

"My speed's right up there at the moment without being tested or anything. I'm feeling sharp and that's the main thing."

Howlett will celebrate his 50th test while marking England's Ben Cohen, his opponent in the 2002 match here won 31-28 by the hosts. The pair are friends off the field, having been regular opponents as far back as age-grade internationals.

- NZPA