Worries about Oliver's fitness

By WYNNE GRAY

As the twin peaks of the NPC final and national selection approach for Anton Oliver this weekend, there is anxiety about the preferred All Black captain.

He missed the semifinal against North Harbour because of calf and neck injuries, and trained without any great venom this week, but is adamant he will take on Canterbury in tomorrow night's NPC final.

There are conflicting views about that decision within both the Otago environment and All Black set-up. Some argue that Oliver is not totally fit and should allow his deputy, Tom Willis, to play. That would also remove the risk of Oliver aggravating his injuries with the All Black squad due to be announced on Sunday morning.

While Oliver's calf strain continues to concern him, he feels he can and should get into combat with the Canterbury pack.

The new All Black staff will not interfere in any provincial matters, nor would coach John Mitchell make any comment yesterday about choices in the 30-strong group to go to Ireland, Scotland and Argentina. He would only confirm that he had settled on his captain and would also use twin vice-captains, one a forward, the other a back.

Indications are that Oliver will retain the All Black leadership after Mitchell had considered Andrew Mehrtens or Scott Robertson as alternatives.

"Picking a captain was the first thing I nailed. It affects the team dynamics," Mitchell said. "It is all about getting the support in behind him and working on the leadership style."

Should Oliver suffer further problems with his existing injuries, he and the rest of the squad, would have to pass medical tests on Monday to travel with the All Blacks on Wednesday.

Mitchell has been strong in his views that injured players will not be tolerated on the five-game tour. That list has not been finalised, but Troy Flavell, Carl Hoeft, Ron Cribb, Jonno Gibbes and Scott McLeod are definite non-starters and there is some doubt about Gordon Slater, Carl Hayman and Christian Cullen.

At this stage, Oliver may have Willis or Taranaki's Andrew Hore as his touring understudy, but any problem for Oliver will cause some rearrangement and perhaps questions about whether Mark Hammett has recovered from his ankle problem.

That, however, would go against Mitchell's policy of picking players on form from the NPC.

"Most of the squad has been picked and there will not be a great deal of change after the NPC final, though that is the time to see these guys under pressure," Mitchell said.

He and his selection panel had to settle on about three final places.

"My priority is to pick a test 22 and then some midweek players who will ask questions of the top group. I want there to be competition, but also have an eye towards the 2003 World Cup. It is a great opportunity to see whether people are capable of moving up and weeding out those who are unacceptable."