Slimmer Mika no longer too big for his boots

Brad Mika at training. Picture / Brett Phibbs

He's A big fella, Brad Mika, and probably even licking a stamp will see that giant frame of his expand.

His physique is both a blessing and a curse. Throughout this year's provincial campaign, it has been the former. The 25-year-old has been the standout Auckland forward each of the last three weeks.

He's covered a lot of ground, made a lot of tackles, run through a few unfortunates and played with a pleasing proximity to the ball. Come the final 20 minutes, he's still been there, charging around and making his presence felt, even displaying some deft touches.

At 1.98m and 123kg, as he now is, it's possible for Mika to play that roaming game where he can carry the ball to good effect. But at 136kg, as he was when he returned from spending six months with the Crusaders earlier this year, the athleticism and mobility disappeared. At 136kg, Mika was lumbering, ineffective and unable to get himself onto the shoulder of the ball carrier or to the next breakdown in time to make a useful contribution.

That was when his physique became a curse - too big to shift around the paddock in the manner that was expected from someone wearing No 8, as he did for the Crusaders.

"It was frustrating not getting much game time down there," he says. "I enjoyed it but it was hard being away from friends and family and my girlfriend."

Being away from home and not playing regularly proved a bad combination and Auckland coach Pat Lam was disappointed to see Mika return north so far above his fighting weight.

At 136kg, Mika wouldn't have been much use at the open style Lam was planning. He certainly wouldn't be able to use Mika at No 8 and pity the poor chumps who had to lift him at the lineout.

So Mika, along with the rest of his Auckland team-mates, was put through hell in the build up to the provincial competition.

"We went through a really punishing pre-season," says Mika, "and then we were really punished again when we went to the islands. It was good for me. It got me back into good shape and I have really enjoyed my rugby as a result."

Mika has certainly played well enough to at least be in contention for an All Black recall.

It probably won't come, though, as he has still to prove he is a No 8, the position the All Black selectors believe is his best.

"Graham Henry mentioned he thought No 8 was my best position. That was a couple of years ago, so it might have passed his mind."

Mika will find out this time next week.