Super 12 temperatures rise

By WYNNE GRAY

Conflict between the present and deposed All Black regimes is set to spice up the final Super 12 selection meeting today.

When the national selectors nominated Daniel Carter and Aaron Mauger as first five-eighths for the upcoming European tour, they also stacked extra heat on the Crusaders.

"It also might mean that one of those players, or some of those players, might need to move franchises to get experience in that position," coach Graham Henry said.

It was a less than subtle jab at Crusaders coach and former national assistant Robbie Deans.

Deans probably expected the Crusaders would have to relinquish Cameron McIntyre into the draft while retaining Andrew Mehrtens, Carter and Mauger in his protected squad of 24.

Apparently the Blues were keen on a similar scheme, with Carlos Spencer, Luke McAlister and Tasesa Lavea pencilled into their protected group.

However, with McAlister identified as a first five-eighths by the All Black panel and Spencer on hold from national duty because of injury, there was going to be some pressure on one of the trio, probably Lavea, to be placed in the draft.

Those impasses will occupy the best diplomacy skills of an advisory panel which met in Wellington last night to reflect on the initial Super 12 squad choices.

Henry is in that group with fellow selector Sir Brian Lochore, John Graham and Rugby Union officials Steve Tew and Steve Lancaster.

Henry has made it clear the All Black panel wants to see squad members dispersed throughout the five franchises. He did not want to see Super 12 squads stockpile top players.

However, franchises such as the Crusaders argue that they should be allowed to benefit from strong recruiting, selection and coaching programmes. They complain they are becoming the victims of their success, that they should keep any players they want inside the maximum 24 protected personnel.

Those philosophical differences will have been canvassed last night by the advisory panel and will come under further scrutiny when they meet the franchise coaches today in Wellington.

Later, the franchises will make the necessary draft choices to fill out their 28-strong squads before those groups are announced tomorrow.

"We get together where we have to balance squads pro-actively," NZRFU deputy Steve Tew said.

Those decisions had to be made after considering the development of players, the best interests of the national game and each franchise.

"We may have two or three positions in one franchise where they are strong and another is weak, but you have to ask whether you penalise one franchise for creating or having a depth of players," he said.

"We have stopped short of enforcing some ideas. We do not have that power, but we have the power of negotiation.

"The board decided not to arm the panel with the ultimate power."

Asked about any potential stalemates, Tew said there had already been considerable discussion between the national and Super 12 coaches in recent weeks.

Those talks would continue with everyone at NZRFU headquarters today, but if any disputes could not be decided then franchises would adjourn with the NZRFU for some private debate.

Super choices

Last night: Advisory panel meets

Today: Panel meets franchise coaches and draft choices made

Tomorrow: Squads announced


Super 12 draw 2005

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