Rugby: Ralph at centre if Clarke unfit

By Chris Rattue

Auckland have opted for the sleek work of Caleb Ralph ahead of the blockbusting runs of Iliesa Tanivula to cover centre if Eroni Clarke cannot line up in Saturday night's NPC final against Wellington.

Auckland coach Wayne Pivac yesterday revealed his side, a day before Wellington are due to name theirs.

Who plays at centre for Auckland is about the only selection issue facing either team before the NPC finale at Eden Park.

Pivac rates Clarke, who is battling a hamstring problem, at only a 40-60 chance of playing. "Eroni is hopeful of playing but the medical staff don't hold out the same hope," said Pivac.

"I've talked to the players [Ralph and Tanivula] about where they feel most comfortable playing.

"Apart from his drop goal option [against North Harbour, when he replaced Clarke in the semifinal] Iliesa went okay.

"But although he plays for his club in the centres, in terms of big games it was his first run in the centres for us."

Ralph has been used on the wing by Auckland, although his one test appearance was at centre, when the All Blacks beat a below-strength English side by 30 points at Eden Park last year.

If Clarke is ruled out, Tanivula will take Ralph's wing spot, but if Clarke plays, Ralph will go back on to the wing.

Wellington coach Graham Mourie is expected to name a line-up unchanged from the side who played so well in beating Waikato in Hamilton in the semifinals.

But there are suggestions that second five-eighths Paul Steinmetz, who has been a star performer after being unable to make the starting line-up early in the season, could be switched to fullback during the game.

Fullback Colin Sullivan has been a shaky component during the Lions' run to the final, and reserve midfield back Norm Broughton, who has been unable to displace Steinmetz since returning from injury, was a key factor in fixing up a Wellington backline whose defence was exposed in round one at Eden Park.

Wellington's assistant coach, Dave Rennie, said yesterday that his backs have been reminded of why Wellington succumbed 6-45 in that first match against Auckland.

"Last time we turned over a lot of ball out wide and they really punished us. It's a case of being more patient and being more careful with the ball maintenance," he said.

"And I think we're doing that kind of thing a lot better now than we were then.

"We're happy to have an opportunity to redeem ourselves after what happened the last time we were up there."

Auckland: Adrian Cashmore, Doug Howlett, Eroni Clarke/Caleb Ralph, Ralph/Iliesa Tanivula, Craig Innes, Orene Ai'i, Ofisa Tonu'u; Xavier Rush, Mark Carter, Charles Riechelmann, Leo Lafaiali'i, Michael Jones, Scott Palmer, Paul Mitchell, Paul Thomson (c). Res: Tanivula/Rico Gear, Aidan Vince, Steve Devine; Finau Maka, Jason Chandler, Mana Otai, Keven Mealamu.