Henry calls it as he sees it

BY TOBY ROBSON

If the All Blacks coaches have achieved one thing this season it is to put their players on notice that they have nowhere to hide ahead of what shapes as a treacherous Tri-Nations.

Graham Henry continued a brutal trail of honest public comment in naming his squad to play Australia in two weeks time with a less than flattering appraisal of wing Lelia Masaga and second flogging for unlucky loose forward Liam Messam.

The pair were the two main omissions from the players who featured in the three-test series against France and Italy, with little-used openside George Whitelock the other.

Henry revealed the All Blacks selectors had concerns over Messam's erratic play even after they named him at No8 in the season opener against France.

"Shag [Steve Hansen], Smithy [Wayne Smith] and I were always concerned and if you analyse that test match [in Dunedin] you'll know why he hasn't been selected," Henry said. "He missed crucial tackles and turned the ball over which cost us points. At test match level you can't afford to do that."

On Masaga, the All Blacks head coach said he had "looked short of a gallop" during his test debut against Italy in Christchurch.

"Lelia needs to play some games. We think he has got some real ability, like his magic with the ball. He's not so good without the ball, so he needs to work on that part of his game."

Such summaries have become unheard of in the sanitised world of professional rugby with Super 14 coaches rarely having a critical word to say about even the most woefully out-of-form player.

Henry does temper any criticism with the footnote that the door is never shut and in Messam's case emphasised his immense effect on the All Blacks' 18-16 comeback victory over Munster on last year's end of year tour.

"We said to Liam, you've got to fix these things up. He's got things that win games, and he's got things that lose games. That's the disappointment for us and him."

Henry's approach is refreshing and may even become a motivator for players determined to prove him wrong, but one wonders how it is being received by players in private.

Whatever the case, the two omissions are difficult to argue.

Talented Messam may have been harshly judged after the loss to France, but he was never going to be selected ahead of returning No8 Rodney So'oialo.

Messam remains a man without a position, too small for No8, too short for blindside and at present apparently not being considered as an openside despite the urging of All Black great Michael Jones.

Masaga too, may have been given an overly-harsh review, but Hosea Gear's recall was simply irresistible.

The Hurricanes wing stood out like a beacon for the Junior All Blacks where he scored eight tries in four matches and looked both stronger and faster than any of his rivals.

With Sitiveni Sivivatu back from injury there was simply no room for Masaga.

It will be interesting to see whether Gear can supplant Joe Rokocoko in the starting XV against the Wallabies.

The other notable selection over the weekend was the return of 10-test Hurricanes lock Jason Eaton. It is debatable whether he is a test quality blindside flanker, but it is good to see a player with much to offer back in the international fold.

ALL BLACKS SQUAD

All Blacks squad to contest the Tri-Nations championship: Backs: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Joe Rokocoko, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Hosea Gear, Isaia Toeava, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Luke McAlister, Stephen Donald, Piri Weepu, Jimmy Cowan, Brendon Leonard. Forwards: Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (captain), Tanerau Latimer, Kieran Read, Jerome Kaino, Jason Eaton, Isaac Ross, Bryn Evans, Brad Thorn, John Afoa, Neemia Tialata, Owen Franks, Tony Woodcock, Wyatt Crockett, Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu, Aled de Malmanche.

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