Maori need to find new gear

By CHRIS RATTUE in New Plymouth

How long will it take the New Zealand Maori side to blow the Super 12 cobwebs out of their system?

That will be the key in tonight's much anticipated battle with England in New Plymouth, the first high-profile match of the international season in this country.

On one hand, Matt Te Pou's side will rely heavily on the building blocks from playing in the Sanzar tournament.

That foundation will be needed to provide the glue in a side who have had one, at times disjointed build-up game against Tonga.

But the dangers of Super 12 rugby for international sides was evident as Australia and South Africa struggled in various degrees against Ireland and Scotland over the weekend.

South Africa were often a shambles against the Scots, like a Super 12 experiment gone wrong. Australia didn't play the test match percentages either, although they had too much individual ability against poor Irish defence.

The Super 12 is often a high-risk venture where the dividends are paid out over three months, whereas international fortunes can rise and fall in one match - or less, as the All Blacks found out in a World Cup semifinal four years ago.

Forget Tonga and the upcoming three-match tour of Canada. This is the game for the Maori, one of the most important in their history.

It is just the third time England and the Maori have clashed, and only the second in recent times. Five years ago a substandard English side crashed to defeat, but this will be an entirely different story.

This has been called a second-string England side, and it is, but there is enormous experience through the line-up.

Maori coach Matt Te Pou has used much of the preparation time working on scrums and lineouts, which will be vital.

And there are some worrying signs in the Maori pack. Greg Feek, Slade McFarland, Troy Flavell, Kristian Ormsby and Matua Parkinson had limited or no Super 12 game time this season.

Parkinson had just one and a half club matches before the Tongan game, and Flavell only the Barbarians fixture in England and the Tongan game after a long suspension.

As Te Pou pointed out after a light final training run at Yarrow Stadium, the North Harbour pair had rigorous personal training schedules, but in the high-energy loose forward positions they could struggle.

Flavell is essentially a lock these days, but has been pressed into blindside service by Jono Gibbes' injury. Flavell was mainly lethargic against Tonga, after arriving from England two days earlier at 5am and launching himself into two training sessions that day, which must have sapped his energy.

One man to watch in the Maori backs is halfback David Gibson, who looks an All Black in the making.

Gibson's clearance is touted as his strong point, but in the Super 12 final and Tongan game it was his flashing runs which impressed.

He caught out Crusaders forwards like Greg Somerville and Brad Thorn, who were defending on the fringes, and tonight is a big chance for the little Blues man to show he can take his game to the top level.

This might be the last chance saloon for the great Christian Cullen, shunned by the All Blacks after Leon MacDonald's withdrawal.

English players such as 2.05m lock Simon Shaw - from the London Wasps club who scored a massive English premiership final win over Gloucester at Twickenham - are pushing for test spots. Other contenders include Gloucester props Phil Vickery and Trevor Woodman.

England also have a wealth of experience in the halves, where Kyran Bracken and Paul Grayson boast 69 caps.

And they include proven test men such as flanker Martin Corry, a star on the Lions tour of Australia two years ago, and decent threats on the wings where Dan Luger and James Simpson-Daniel lurk.

Te Pou said: "New Zealand players have always been good on their feet. I'm not talking about straight speed, but agility. That's where we have an advantage.

"It's all about picking the right time to move the ball in hand.

"It starts at the set pieces and the culture of the English is very disciplined. We will be up against a hard- core scrum machine."

The Maori need to win quick ball over four or five phases to give their guile a chance to come into play, as they did in the third quarter against disorganised Tongan defence.

It shapes as a ferocious battle. If the Maori bring the best of the Super 12 game to Yarrow Stadium, they can win. If they lapse into bad habits, and the pack does not gel, England should prevail.

New Zealand Maori: Christian Cullen, Joe Maddock, Rico Gear, Ryan Nicholas, Brad Fleming, Glen Jackson, David Gibson; Taine Randell (capt), Matua Parkinson, Troy Flavell, Paul Tito, Kristian Ormsby, Carl Hayman, Slade McFarland, Greg Feek. Res: Scott Linklater, Deacon Manu, Reece Robinson, Wayne Ormond; Brendan Haami, Bryce Robins, Willie Walker.

England: Iain Balshaw, Dan Luger, Jamie Noon, Stuart Abbott, James Simpson-Daniel, Paul Grayson, Kyran Bracken; Joe Worsley, Andy Hazell, Martin Corry, Steve Borthwick, Simon Shaw, Phil Vickery (c), Dorian West, Trevor Woodman. Res: Mark Regan, Mike Worsley, Tom Palmer, Paul Volley; Andy Gomarsall, Alex King, Ben Johnston.

Referee: Paddy O'Brien (NZ)

Kickoff: 7.30pm.

TV: Live on Sky Sport 1.