Rugby: Delany at fullback offers clue

Mike Delany and Stephen Donald will interchange between fullback and first-five in tomorrow’s trial match against the Hurricanes. Photo / Sarah Ivey

It has the hallmarks of a cunning ruse, but Mike Delany starting at fullback in the Chiefs final pre-season hit out tomorrow night could provide the answer to the question posed by Mils Muliaina's rest.

Delany, 27, will start as custodian as the Chiefs take on the Hurricanes at Rotorua international Stadium, with Stephen Donald at first five-eighths.

You can expect, says Delany, to see the pair swap often during the match.

Is this a pointer to the Super 14 proper and a more fluid positional approach that could work in the twin talents of Delany and Donald, or a final trial for the pair?

"We haven't really talked about it like that," said Delany. "I expect Beaver [Donald] and I will interchange between positions a bit [tomorrow]."

With Muliaina's campaign not starting until the Chiefs touchdown after a three-week road trip, the configuration of the back three has been the subject of as much speculation as who would start in 10 - as it is the two intrigues might intersect.

While Delany was giving away nothing as to his prospects of wearing 15 against the Sharks in Durban next weekend, he did profess to feeling comfortable in the position.

"I've played there a few times both off the bench and for Bay of Plenty so it's not too unfamiliar," he said.

"It's just a different mentality than you have at 10. You're working a lot more off the ball. You're talking a lot and scanning the field more ... You've got a bit more freedom too. If I've got any questions, Mils is a pretty good mentor to have."

Coach Ian Foster has options at fullback, but none that come without reservations. Sitiveni Sivivatu would offer the most potent counter-attacking threat, but his kicking game is erratic and he offers more from the wing.

Tim Nanai-Williams has impressed in his first Super 14 year, but it is a big ask to feed a debutant to the Sharks.

Delany, with an excellent kicking game and some international experience, could provide the best stop-gap.

When he spurned the opportunity to seek a starting role at No 10 at other franchises, Delany would have known there was every chance he would be in a battle for game time and that he might have to diversify.

It was something he had prepared for over the summer, he said. "I would rather push for a position than have one handed to me on a plate."