Ormsby fired up for NPC opener

Kristian Ormsby has been counting the days until the start of rugby's NPC.

For the Wellington loose forward it represents an opportunity to leave the frustrations of the Super 12 reserves bench behind.

"I can't wait," Ormsby told a Wellington newspaper.

"For me it's great to be back on the blindside, and with the All Blacks away it gives me a chance to really concentrate on my favoured position."

After starting just once for the Hurricanes in this year's Super 12 -- at lock -- it's no wonder Ormsby's relishing the prospect of running out in the No 6 jersey against Northland in Whangarei on Saturday.

"Coming off the bench you only get a certain amount of time to show what you're capable of, so when you get the chance to start you have to take it."

A year ago he did just that, running rampant in Wellington's first-up win over Canterbury.

But he couldn't reproduce the performance a week later against Otago and, with Jerry Collins back on deck, his chance was gone.

"It was great to start the season that way last year and the confidence was high, but then the ABs came back and it fell away."

The result was more bench time than the 1.94m, 118kg man-mountain cares to remember.

With fellow loosie Thomas Waldrom, he hopes to give Wellington coach John Plumtree a selection headache when Collins and Rodney So'oialo return later in the season.

"Me and Thomas are in the same sort of boat and we've got to the point where we're both looking to prove ourselves.

"This year with the ABs being away a bit longer it gives us a better shake at it. If we take our chances even when those guys come back they will have to find a place for us somewhere."

Yet to re-sign with the Wellington Rugby Union, Ormsby's lack of starts makes him a prime target for rival unions.

But while he's in a hurry to get on the field, the former Counties player won't be rushed into an important decision.

Meanwhile, fullback Cory Jane will be out of action for about a month after breaking a hand playing for Upper Hutt in Sunday's club semifinal.

Hooker Mahonri Schwalger's hamstring strain at training on Monday proved to be a false alarm, with a nerve problem identified as the culprit.

Second five-eighth Tane Tu'ipulotu has shaken an ankle injury, while unwanted All Blacks midfielder Ma'a Nonu's rib problem has all but mended.

Only halfback Nigel Hunt (hamstring) was unable to take a full part in training today.

Plumtree will name his team tomorrow.

The Wellington players have a day off tomorrow and will travel to Auckland on Thursday to spend a night at the Millennium Institute before heading to Whangarei on Friday.

- nzpa