Fullback in frame for centre job

By WYNNE GRAY

Continuing uncertainty about the best alternative All Black centre may persuade the selectors to use Leon MacDonald in that position against Tonga on Friday.

The 25-year-old MacDonald has been a reliable fullback in 21 tests for the All Blacks, but the serious knee injury to vice-captain Tana Umaga means he may be asked to deputise at centre.

Although Ma'a Nonu was the replacement centre against Italy and was retained for the second victory against Canada, some worries about his play remain. He can be explosive on attack, a dynamic force in midfield, but in defence his lack of experience can appear.

He can tackle, although his technique can be a little ragged, and he can lose his place in the defensive line. MacDonald is noted as a strong defender and started his provincial career as a midfield back.

Several times against Canada, Nonu drifted off his man, either through a lack of concentration or a lack of communication.

Centre choices for the All Blacks are Nonu, Aaron Mauger and MacDonald.

Mauger has been struggling with bone bruising to his knee after arriving at the tournament with a slight groin strain. His fitness is likely to be judged against Daniel Carter for the second five-eighths job this week, with the versatile MacDonald used at centre.

Backline director Carlos Spencer will not be rested. He may continue to bypass the goalkicking duties, where his results have been erratic this season, but the staff want to keep putting the kilometres on his match-play engine.

Any rearrangements for the All Blacks third cup match, in Brisbane, will be revealed today, with the selectors keen to get Mauger and lock Ali Williams back into play.

By then the medical staff will have been able to watch the injured Williams undergo several full practices and work out whether he can be included for the pool game against Tonga.

If Williams is still troubled by the stress fracture in his right foot, then standby lock Norm Maxwell could be whistled into the squad as an official replacement.

That decision will be far more difficult than the one involving utility fullback Ben Blair.

He complained of neck soreness last week and a scan revealed a prolapsed disc.

He will not need surgery, but he was replaced officially yesterday by Auckland utility Ben Atiga, a player who could get further promotion to the bench for the international with Tonga.

There are optimistic reports on the rest of the injured, including Umaga. The swelling on his damaged left knee has subsided further and there is a belief that if there are no complications overnight, he could try jogging again today.

If that progress continues, and the staff acknowledge the amount of uncertainty, it is tipped that Umaga could be ready for the start of the sudden-death section of the tournament.

Joe Rokocoko is back near top-gear after his hamstring strain, but may be given a further rest for the final pool game against Wales.

Third-string halfback Byron Kelleher strained his hamstring during some physical drills at halftime in the game against Canada and will not be considered for the Tongan game.

There will be a mix-and-match look to the All Blacks for Friday, with the first-choice regulars slotted in next to those who have either not started or played little in this campaign. The intention is to play the best selection in the final Sydney pool game against Wales.

The All Blacks were joined in Melbourne yesterday by tournament co-favourites England, who jetted in to prepare for their next match, on Sunday against Samoa.