Uncertainty adds thrilling rugby edge

BY TOBY ROBSON IN DUNEDIN

Opportunity has rarely knocked louder than it will at Carisbrook tonight as the All Blacks test season swings into motion against France.

It will be riveting to see who answers its call.

The All Blacks injury crisis has brought forth a test lineup the like of which has probably not seen since the Baby Blacks took the field against Australia in 1986.

And although it is two years away, there is a World Cup undercurrent to a match that could reveal more about a crop of players on the cusp.

The timing, in many ways, could not be better for New Zealand rugby and it has provided the ingredients for an enthralling contest.

Wellington's Cory Jane was thrown the latest call-up yesterday when he was confirmed in the starting side in place of injured wing Rudi Wulf.

Jane will start in the No14 jersey with Joe Rokocoko switching to the left wing and Lelia Masaga in the reserves.

There is the inexperienced, but exciting, loose trio of Liam Messam, Kieran Read and Adam Thomson, rookie lock Isaac Ross, Isaia Toeava at centre and a maturing Luke McAlister on the bench.

The latter is worth special mention. There has been an edge to the All Blacks backline whenever he has switched in for Stephen Donald this week. At what stage will the temptation to try out his new toy overcome backs coach Wayne Smith?

And how will Donald respond to the pressure his test spot is suddenly under?

The first All Blacks side to be captained by Mils Muliaina screams potential rather than polish.

But would it be as intriguing if the full-strength All Blacks were lining up another June tourist?

The All Blacks are one injury away from a scrum featuring Hawke's Bay's Bryn Evans. That's why there is the sniff of an upset in the Dunedin air and it has brought with it anticipation and edge.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry has spent much of the week trying to keep his nervous young side calm, and yesterday he continued.

"He's an uncomplicated young fellow," Henry of said Jane. "He just enjoys having the opportunity and just wants to get into it.

"I enjoy his attitude. He will go out there and express himself I'm sure."

Masaga, 20 minutes from boarding a flight where he was set for a reunion with his grandmother for the first time in 18 years, was given a similar message by his coach.

"The big thing he has to do is try to be as relaxed as possible and go out there and show why he's a good rugby player. We don't want him inhibited by the occasion."

Only hesitation will allow France to achieve the improbable in their first test match on the ground affectionately known as "The Brook".

The tourists' team sheet is largely unfamiliar to most.

What is known is that they have experience out wide in wings Cedric Heymans, in his 50th test, and Damien Traille.

They have a massive centre in Mathieu Bastareaud and a pint-sized goal-kicking halfback debutant in Julien Dupuy.

In the pack, World Cup tormenter Thierry Dusautoir captains the team from blindside, while 74-test veteran Sylvain Marconnet adds starch to the pack.

History heavily favours the All Blacks, who have won 34 of the 46 tests between the two nations.

But history also shows that the French are most dangerous when asked to do the impossible or improbable and often at the All Blacks' expense.

Given half a chance, even on New Zealand soil, the Tricoleurs will pounce, as they did first in 1979 and twice in 1994.

What will unfold at Carisbrook, possibly the final test at the famous ground, is difficult to predict.

That is its appeal.

REFEREE'S BOX

-Ireland's George Clancy is an inexperienced referee at international level, having controlled just five test matches.

-Tonight's test will be the first time he has refereed a match involving the All Blacks.

-The 32-year-old has controlled 68 professional matches since 2004 and first picked up a whistle in 2000.

-He was elected to the world elite panel last year and will referee the All Blacks again, against Italy, in a fortnight's time.

THREE AREAS OF INTEREST

- THE LOOSE-FORWARDS: As always the battle for supremacy at the collision area will be crucial. France will fancy their chances against the All Blacks' second stringers and have a good balance in the back row. Fulgence Ouedraogo provides the speed, No 8 Louis Picamoles (106kg) the size and captain Thierry Dusatoir the work ethic and experience. The All Black trio have plenty to prove. Is Adam Thomson a test quality openside? Can Liam Messam cut out the errors that too often mark his play in the Super 14? And can Kieran Read make an impact at test level?

- THE LINEOUT: By no means a sure thing with rookie Isaac Ross calling the shots on debut. Without freekick sanctions Ross should have plenty to do as penalties are kicked into touch. He varied his calls for the Crusaders during the Super 14 and is sure to use Adam Thomson's height at the back, but would do well to give himself plenty of work. The French do not possess great height or experience in locks Pascal Pape (1.96m ) and Romain Millo-Chluski (1.94m) who boast just 26 caps between them.

- KICK AND CHASE: If the weather packs up, Stephen Donald's radar will need to be spot on as it mostly was for the Chiefs. Expect plenty of short chips and grubbers and cross kicks for the wings from the All Blacks. Otherwise, it will be long and chase with the French counterattack considered one of their most lethal weapons. The French have an untried combination in the halves in first-five Francois Trinh-Duc, and halfback Julien Dupuy, who on debut can expect a torrid time from opposite Jimmy Cowan.

HOW THEY LINE UP

New Zealand v France

Venue: Carisbrook, Dunedin

TV: Live Sky Sport 1, 7.30pm

TAB odds: All Blacks $1.10, France $6.25

Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)

New Zealand: Mils Muliaina (c), Cory Jane, Isaia Toeava, Ma'a Nonu, Joe Rokocoko, Stephen Donald, Jimmy Cowan; Liam Messam, Adam Thomson, Kieran Read, Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, John Afoa, Bryn Evans, Tanerau Latimer, Piri Weepu, Luke McAlister, Lelia Masaga.

France: Maxime Medard, Cedric Heymans, Mathieu Bastareaud, Vincent Clerc, Damien Traille, Francois Trinh-Duc, Julien Dupuy; Louis Picamoles, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Thierry Dusautoir (c), Romain Millo-Chluski, Pascal Pape, Sylvain Marconnet, William Servat, Fabien Barcella. Reserves: Dimitri Szarzewski, Nicolas Mas, Thomas Domingo, Sebastien Chabal, Remy Martin, Julien Puricelli, Dimitri Yachvili, Yannick Jauzion, Alexis Palisson (two to be omitted later this afternoon).

- © Fairfax NZ News