Rugby: Sivivatu's dash to prove himself

Sitiveni Sivivatu is in good shape again after shoulder surgery. Photo / Getty Images

Returning All Blacks wing Sitiveni Sivivatu is fit and raring to go, according to his Waikato coach Chris Gibbes.

Sivivatu will kick off his belated attempt to regain a place in the All Blacks line-up when Waikato face what might be a do-or-die assignment against Canterbury in Hamilton tonight.

A bonus-point win in the final round-robin match would enable Waikato to top the table if Canterbury are denied any points, while a loss could put the Mooloos out of the semifinals.

The sub-plot will be a glimpse of whether Sivivatu, at his best a devastating test weapon, is likely to find his top gears in time to make any impact in this year's remaining tests against Australia, England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

The 43-test Sivivatu is on the comeback trail after surgery nearly six months ago to stabilise his left shoulder.

He will be on the bench at Waikato Stadium tonight after coming through a rehabilitation programme with the Waikato and Chiefs trainers.

For a man whose brilliant but seemingly relaxed style can also touch on the lackadaisical, there will inevitably be questions about whether he can regain the energy which has brought him 27 test tries.

Judging Sivivatu's condition isn't always easy, because at his best he makes the game look so easy.

The 28-year-old will also want to prove, at least to himself, that shoulder problems are a thing of the past.

Gibbes said: "Physically, he is in great shape and has worked really hard on his recovery. He has been on a pretty tight plan with the trainers and is raring to get out there and play.

"Whether he should be in the All Blacks or not is not my concern and is a decision made by people above me. All I know is that he is keen to play for Waikato, and Waikato people are keen to see him out on the park. He'll get a bit of game time against Canterbury.

"Siti hasn't had any game time since the Super 15 and just a bit of contact work at training but he's done a lot of running and conditioning and he's ready. The operation has worked well and he wouldn't be on the park if he wasn't right.

"I don't think it would have been right for Siti or the team to start him and he's been away at a funeral for the first couple of days this week. We need to get him back up to speed and we have an exciting back three who have done a great job for us this year. But he'll do a great job when he gets out there."

Sivivatu is the only member of next month's All Black touring party released to play in the final round of the ITM Cup, meaning Waikato and Canterbury are depleted.

Stephen Donald's All Blacks recall means Waikato have lost perhaps the form first five-eighths from the competition, with young utility Trent Renata moving into the No 10 jersey.

Renata is also a fullback and Gibbes isn't ready to nominate his likely long term position yet.

"He did an excellent job for us earlier in the season and he has really developed his ability to direct the team around - the boys have every confidence in Trent," said Gibbes.

The Waikato coach is hoping for improvements in breakdown accuracy and it goes without saying that this has long been a strength of Canterbury rugby.

One contentious All Blacks selection has worked in favour of Canterbury, who retain Colin Slade whereas Waikato lose Donald.