Two take centre stage: Caleb Ralph

By WYNNE GRAY

Sometimes when he plays on the wing, Caleb Ralph feels like a dog chasing a motorbike.

He gets close but there are many days when he never manages to make much of an impression.

"There can be a lot of physical work, like I might end up chasing all game either to follow kicks or go back to help out the defence," he said.

"For much of that you might not even touch the ball and that can get fairly frustrating."

It was different last season when the omnipotent Crusaders spread possession more to the flanks with Ralph bagging 10 tries, including two in the final against the Brumbies.

This year, with a change of emphasis, the possession statistics have been well down for Ralph.

"Defences have got tighter, games have been different, there has been more wet weather and it was not nearly so good for us on the wing," Ralph suggested.

"After our record last year it was a case of every team this time trying to knock us off. That was enjoyable but we did not play quite such an expansive pattern and that was not ideal for me personally."

But when injury struck an already depleted Crusaders backline, Ralph was switched to centre to cover for the missing Mark Robinson and Nathan Mauger.

That was more to the 25-year-old's liking, and he has never sidestepped any question about his preferred position. Ralph's answer was always centre, still is and he is revelling in the change.

Tomorrow's Super 12 final at Eden Park will be his fourth straight game in the No 13 jersey.

"It is very different from wing, which might sound strange as it is only one position different," Ralph said. "But you are far more involved, it is a much more physical position and I find it gets me into a game much more.

"The midfield often takes the ball up in these games so you are involved in attack or defence from set phase at scrum and lineout.

"I came up through the grades playing at centre, it's what I have known and it has been great to be back there."

Ralph started his provincial rugby with Bay of Plenty, shifted to Auckland where he made his All Black debut, at centre against England, before shifting to Canterbury and a resumption of his international career on the wing in late 2001.

During his time with Auckland, Ralph played his first Super 12 final against the Crusaders in the 20-13 loss in 1998.

He was a late wing replacement for the injured Jonah Lomu.

"I had come on in a few games as a replacement but I was whistled up for the final. It was a big occasion but like all those matches all you can do is go for it."

Drafted for the next year, Ralph subsequently transferred south as he played for the victorious Crusaders in the 1999, 2000 and 2002 finals.

"It should help some of us who have played in finals before," Ralph suggested. "And we know the Blues have done that with most of them being in the NPC final last time.

"It is easier to get up for these games physically but these games can often come down to split-second decisions - the mental side of it is huge."

Like all his team-mates, Ralph is relieved to be getting a rematch against the Blues. The Crusaders had come to their game after the 39-5 hiding at Albany, they had endured several other troubles but switched on near the semis.

"Last time we got a real hiding but I think it was just one of those days," he declared.

"It is better to get a second chance than no chance at all and hopefully we will take it. We have got to have confidence in our ability."

Caleb Ralph

* Born: September 10, 1977, Rotorua

* Height: 1.87m

* Weight: 91kg

* Position: Wing or centre

* Super 12 appearances: 71

* All Blacks: Eight tests. Debut, 1998 v England

* Visit nzherald.co.nz throughout the weekend for Super 12 updates.