Rugby: Josh will play - come hell or high fever

OTAGO V SOUTHLAND

Otago star Josh Kronfeld has the flu, but nothing will keep him from taking his final bow at Carisbrook today.

Kronfeld was sent home from training on Thursday to recuperate from the flu, which has affected him since last week.

"I was really sick last Friday. Then I sort of came right, then on Sunday night I sort of relapsed," he said.

"But I'll be right by Saturday and that's the main agenda."

Kronfeld said he had only just realised that his first game for Otago at Carisbrook had also been against Southland.

"Maybe that's a nice touch - to finish where I started.

"I'm pretty excited and I guess a little bit nervous because it will be quite an emotional time for me.

"Carisbrook's a great place - the area and everyone involved. I know I'm going to miss not being able to run out and hear that Otago crowd, but maybe I'll get to sit on the terrace one day and experience it from the other side."

Kronfeld again gave a clear indication that he would be available for the All Blacks' tour of France and Italy, but that this would be his last season in New Zealand.

"I'll have to make some decisions before they announce the team.

"I'll have to sit down and talk to everyone concerned.

"I haven't signed with anyone at the moment and I haven't made any decisions.

"I'm quite capable of playing next year, but I like to think I'll be on to something different by then."

The hero of the Carisbrook terraces reflected with a hint of nostalgia on "some really amazing games" on the ground that has come to mean so much to him.

"Beating the Lions in 1992, beating the Springboks in 1994, the NPC win in 1998 - they come to mind, but there have been so many others," Kronfeld said.

Now the flanker in the No 7 jersey and headgear prepares to make his final entrance.

"There are still three NPC games to go and an aim would be to secure three victories.

"That would be a real nice way to finish."

There is also the possibility of a Ranfurly Shield challenge if either Canterbury or Auckland beat Waikato.

"I'm sure we would jump at it if a challenge came our way," Kronfeld said.

Meanwhile, All Blacks prop Kees Meeuws has been relegated to the reserves for today's match.

Coach Kevin Gloag said Meeuws had not been made a scapegoat for the loss to Taranaki last weekend.

"It was a poor team performance and you can't single out one person for that. Kees hasn't been singled out by any means.

"We put a lot of thought into our selections and we're using Kees in a different way in this game.

"We're using him off the bench as an impact player. We'll introduce him into the game at a time we think best suits.

"He has physical aggression and ability with the ball in hand."

Otago: Justin Swart, Brendan Laney, Seilala Mapusua, Hayden Reid, Pita Alatini, Tony Brown, Donovan Hall, Kelvin Middleton (c), Josh Kronfeld, John Blaikie, Simon Maling, Taine Randell, Carl Hayman, Anton Oliver, Carl Hoeft. Res: James Jowsey, Charles Hore, Chad Shepherd, Josh Blaikie, Hale Tu'uhoko, Kees Meeuws, Tom Willis.

Southland: Andrew Flint, Anthony Lafaiali'i, Graeme Bond, Faolua Muliaina, Alex Telea, David Hill, Brett McCormack, Matt O'Connell, Simon Etheridge, Iona Sipa, Steve Jackson, Brendon Timmins (c), Aaron Dempsey, Davin Heaps, Clarke Dermody. Res: Joe Naufahu, Mal Arnold, Jimmy Cowan, Mark Tinnock, Brad South, Jason Rutledge, Brendon Pascoe.

- NZPA