Mitchell's call goes out to Otago XV

All Black coach John Mitchell wants certain Otago players to be given game time in their team's two NPC warm-up games.

Mitchell spoke to Otago coach Greg Cooper this week and said the All Black selectors would like to see several players in action in Dunedin over the next week.

Cooper declined to name the players involved. The most likely candidate for an All Black call-up next week is lock Simon Maling, who is expected to replace Ali Williams for the test against the Springboks next Saturday.

The other All Blacks playing for Otago against Wellington today will be first five-eighth Tony Brown, halfback Danny Lee, No 8 Sam Harding and hooker Tom Willis.

Hooker Anton Oliver, halfback Byron Kelleher and prop Carl Hoeft are in the reserves.

Wellington have acknowledged that All Black No 8 Rodney So'oialo was included in their team at Mitchell's request.

All Black squad member Ma'a Nonu has been named on the Wellington right wing.

Other All Blacks in the Wellington team are Paul Steinmetz, Pita Alatini and former Kupu Vanisi.

A feature of the Otago team is the return of veteran prop Nick Moore after a gap of five years. He played 78 games for Otago between 1993 and 1997.

Moore, 32, will be marking Wellington's Tony Coughlan, who was his propping partner when he played for North Harbour in 1998.

"Nick has had a problem calf this year and needs as much game time as possible to work his way back to fitness," Cooper said.

Brown, who will be playing his first game for Otago for two years, will be the goalkicker. He is recovering from a back injury that limited him in the Super 12.

"I've asked that Tony does not do a lot of practice," Cooper said. "I don't want to overload him at this stage."

Otago: Glen Horton, Mike Maguire, Neil Brew, Seilala Mapusua, Matt Saunders, Tony Brown, Danny Lee, Sam Harding, Josh Blackie, Kelvin Middleton (captain), Simon Maling, Tom Donnelly, Nick Moore, Tom Willis, Jeremy Aldworth.

Res: Anton Oliver, Carl Hoeft, Peter Bowden, Samiu Vahafolau, Byron Kelleher, Mathew Berquist, Tim MacArthur.

Wellington: Paul Steinmetz, Ma'a Nonu, Willie Lafaele, Pita Alatini, Sireli Bobo, David Holwell, Riki Flutey, Rodney So'oialo Kupu Vanisi, Thomas Waldrom, Ross Kennedy, Ross Filipo, Tim Fairbrother, Luke Mahoney, Tony Coughlan. Res: Nick Byron, Tialata Neemia, Kane Thomsen, Roy Kinikinilau, Scott Waldrom, Piri Weepu, Hayden Lafealae.

* Former Canterbury first five-eighth Nicky Little will play for Fiji against his old province today.

The younger brother of 1990s All Black midfield back Walter Little, he is one of several first-choice Fijian test players named in Mac McCallion's side to play a Canterbury Selection in Christchurch.

Highlanders utility Seru Rabeni will be outside Little at second five-eighth and Alfred Uluinayau will play at fullback.

The Canterbury Selection side feature players not involved in the Christchurch club finals.

Canterbury NPC players Daniel Turner, Laurence Corlett and Rhys Williams lead the forward pack. Former Crusaders and Samoan wing Afato So'oalo is in the reserves.

Canterbury Selection: George Miller, Ken Tuua, Saul Luamanuvae, Steve Yates, Karne Kaufana, Ryan Roberts, Corey Tamou, Rhys Williams, Andy Broomhall, Daniel Turner, Tim Harwood, Hayden Hopgood, Sam Biddles, Laurence Corlett, Brydon Heller. Res: Afato So'oalo, Dale Geek, Takerei Norton, Tane Tawera, one to be named, Isaac Cook, Richard Taylor.

Fiji: Alfred Uluinayau, Sekove Leaware, Epeli Ruivadra, Simone Rokini, Seru Rabeni, Nicky Little, Samisoni Rabaka, Alivereti Dovierata (captain), Kolinio Sewabu, Kele Leaware, Emori Katalau, Alivereti Mocelutu, Joeli Veitayaki, Bill Gadalo, Isaia Rasila. Res: Aisea Tuilevu, Waisale Servei, Mosese Railuni, Kitone Salawa, Api Naevo, Paula Bui, Greg Smith.


- NZPA