Plenty of depth in second row

Chris Jack is the best lock in New Zealand and Brad Thorn is a potential All Black, according to a man who knows a thing or two about locking a test scrum.

All Black great Colin Meads - New Zealand rugby's player of the 20th century - played 55 tests for the All Blacks between 1957 and 1971. Most of them were in the second row of the scrum.

He is encouraged by the number of good locks in New Zealand and believes the Crusaders are particularly well served.

Meads was particularly interested in the return of Norm Maxwell, currently New Zealand's most experienced lock with 34 caps.

But he has been impressed with the pair who have played together in Maxwell's injury-enforced absence.

"Chris Jack's No 1, no doubt about that. He would be first pick," Meads said.

"I was here [in Christchurch] for that game against the Reds and I thought Brad Thorn was the best forward on the field that night.

"He uses his bulk and strength, and he's going well for a guy who gave rugby away - or it wasn't top of his hit parade - for a year."

Meads felt Thorn had improved his lineout work immensely and had the potential to become an All Black. He likes to see the former Brisbane Bronco running with the ball.

"That's what rugby's all about."

Meads believed young Blues lock Ali Williams and Highlanders stalwart Simon Maling were also knocking on the All Blacks' door.

The King Country legend acknowledged he could now see the benefits of blooding some younger players on the Northern Hemisphere tour last November.

"I am of the old school that thought they were devaluing the jersey when they didn't take a lot of established players, who they said had some niggly injuries.

"I think that's all bull and was just an excuse not to take them because they wanted them to rest.

"But it worked out pretty well for them.

"Only England beat us and I thought our young team did terribly well, considering, if we are honest, it was our B team."

Meads said there was now a lot of depth in many positions and the All Black selectors had created some real selection headaches for themselves.

He cited the choice between Kees Meeuws or Greg Somerville at tighthead prop as one example.

Meads believed the All Blacks were capable of winning the World Cup because he thought Australia might be "just past it".

South Africa had been struggling, but the republic's Super 12 sides were showing improved form.

The English were "so damn confident that could be their ruination",

France appeared to "have a hoodoo over a lot of teams", and Ireland could not be discounted after their recent form.

pf* Scotland coach Ian McGeechan sprang no major surprises when he named his squad yesterday to face England in the Six Nations rugby championship.

McGeechan made only two changes from the party initially picked for the victory over Wales last time out.

Edinburgh lock Scott Murray, called up when Martin Leslie was ruled out of the Wales game with neck and shoulder injuries, retains his place for the Calcutta Cup encounter at Twickenham on March 22.

Bristol backrower Ross Beattie has been preferred to Glasgow's Jon Petrie.

Brendan Laney is still out with an ankle injury, meaning Gregor Townsend is likely to continue at first five-eighths.

Bryan Redpath was again named captain.

McGeechan said Beattie's extra power had secured his place ahead of the encounter against an England side featuring a juggernaut pack.

- NZPA