Eaton, Gear get the Tri-Nations callup

BY MARC HINTON

It’s always nice to get an All Black recall and no doubt Jason Eaton and Hosea Gear are feeling good about theirs. Not so much Liam Messam and Lelia Masaga who have been the principal casualties in Graham Henry’s Tri-Nations squad unveiled today.

But for all the comings and goings of a squad announcement like this - and it did also feature the much-needed returns of skipper Richie McCaw, No 8 Rodney So'oialo and wing Sitiveni Sivivatu - the focus seems set to remain on the problem No 10 position as the Tri-Nations countdown ticks along

At this stage Luke McAlister will be the first five-eighths against the Wallabies at Eden Park for July 18's competition opener, with Stephen Donald considered "unlikely" to make that match because of a hamstring strain that continues to bother him.

That alone must be a major concern given McAlister inspired little in the way of confidence after an error-ridden performance at No 10 against Italy in his first test start for the best part of two years a week ago in Christchurch.

So hesitant and off-key was he that McAlister even admitted afterwards he wasn't ready for a big-time test match at first five-eighths. Well, it looks like he's going to get one anyway.

It was little wonder then that the pivot remained the biggest talking point as Henry discussed his squad with the media in Auckland today.

Henry confirmed Donald, the preferred option at No 10 in Dan Carter's absence, had torn a tendon in one of the smaller hamstring muscles. The Chiefs and Waikato No 10 is supposedly a "fast healer" and confident of proving himself ready for Bledisloe I.

But medical advice gives Henry a more realistic picture, with the coach conceding Donald was "very doubtful for the Australia test, but hopefully will be right for Bloemfontein".

After Auckland the All Blacks head to South Africa for tests against the Springboks at Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein (July 25) and ABSA Stadium, Durban (August 1). 

Henry said the All Blacks coaches still had full faith in Donald to be the principal navigator for the Tri-Nations, even if he hadn't exactly exuded confidence in his two starts against France either.

"We think Steve played pretty well against France," said Henry. "I know the media thought he was pretty poor in the second test, but you need a bit of time at international level to get your feet under the table and feel comfortable.

"He played pretty well for us last year when he didn't have the same pressures as this year. It's a transition phase and we think he's got the character and ability to handle it."

Well and good. But barring some long overdue luck on the injury front, Donald won't be there for Eden Park in just a fortnight's time. McAlister will.

"He's a very good goalkicker," said Henry, seizing on McAlister's lone bright spot from Christchurch where he was perfect. "He's played first five at test level and handled it pretty well...he's just finding the transition back from midfield to five-eighth where he becomes the navigator a bloody big ask."

McAlister's confidence appeared shot after his Italian debacle. Henry's challenge will be to restore that in time for a head to head against the world's best No 10 Matt Giteau.

"The transition for him is going from being a player who plays to a player who runs the ship for everyone else," added Henry. "He just needs a lot of help from Ma'a, whoever's going to be the 9s, and from the No 8 and Richie. You put Richie and Rodney in that mix and it's going to give him more support in running the team."

Back to the feelgood stories then.

The 25-year-old Gear gets the callup off the back of a top campaign for the Junior All Blacks; and Masaga gets the heave-ho after a lone start in a pretty average team effort against Italy.

Henry said Gear deserved his spot after proving his form and fitness over the last few weeks in the Pacific, while Masaga was probably at the other end of the scale.

"Hosea didn't play the second half of the Super 14, but we picked him in the Junior All Blacks because he had some history with us. He was their No 1 winger, scored eight tries in four games and looked good. He was strong, finished well, and he's now ready.

"Lelia played with half a leg for the second half of the Super 14, didn't play much, got back on the track against Italy and looked short of a gallop... He needs to back and play [provincial rugby], so it's sort of a reverse situation."

Henry indicated that Masaga was better off proving himself for Counties Manukau in the Air NZ Cup.

"We think he's got some real ability. He's magic with the ball, and not so good without the ball. He needs to work on that part. It's just one guy's ready right now, and the other guy is short of a gallop."

Eaton, 26, comes in as the fourth lock, with an ability to cover blindside, though the 10-test All Black could well end up leapfrogging Bryn Evans as the bench cover for the second row.

"Jase gives us ability to play at 6 at a pinch," said Henry. "He played three games in the Junior All Black campaign at 6. He's got very good anticipation, he's a good general footballer, catches and passes well and gets into the right positions. Where we've found him a bit questionable is at kickoff, and when he calls lineouts he doesn't call himself... he just needs more confidence in his own ability."

Messam is the other main casualty, though young Cantab George Whitelock was also unlucky to miss out on what Henry conceded was a close call with Tanerau Latimer as McCaw's backup. The feeling was Whitelock would be better served by a full provincial campaign.

Henry made it clear Messam was too much of a liability at test level the way he was playing now, pointing to his performance in Dunedin as a vivid example of that.

"He missed crucial tackles and turned ball over which cost us points," said Henry. "At test level you just can't afford to do that. We're saying 'Liam, you've got to fix these things up boy, you just can't turn ball over and miss crucial tackles', because he has got some of the things that win games. But he's also got things that lose games."

Henry confirmed Isaia Toeava would miss probably the first three games with a stress fracture in his foot. Tamati Ellison is the cover for him, though the Wellington player is coming off a head knock with the JABs and is also being backed up by Anthony Tuitavake.

"There's a wee bit of grey there," said Henry of Toeava's readiness for the South African trip. "Tamati has been playing outstandingly for the Junior All Blacks, he's a hell of a good leader, he knows the game, expresses himself well, and gets a lot of respect from guys he plays with. We look forward to him coming into the squad and adding something to it as well."

McCaw, So'oialo and Sivivatu were all over their injuries, Henry said, and should add plenty to an All Blacks squad that is in need of their experience and X-factor.

The squad will get together in Wellington for a two-day camp next week (Wednesday and Thursday) and will then assemble in Auckland next Sunday to begin preparations for Bledisloe I.

As well as Ellison, Crusaders and Canterbury first five-eighths Stephen Brett and 2008 All Blacks Ben Franks and Tuitavake will provide squad cover in Wellington, and beyond if needed...

 Players not considered for selection due to injury include lock Ali Williams (Achilles), wing Rudi Wulf (shoulder), flanker Adam Thomson (hand), centre Richard Kahui (shoulder), lock Anthony Boric (toe), halfback Andy Ellis (ribs), hooker Corey Flynn (forearm), flanker Scott Waldrom (back) and first-five eighths Daniel Carter (Achilles).

All Blacks Tri-Nations squad: Forwards: Aled de Malmanche, Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu, John Afoa, Wyatt Crockett, Owen Franks, Neemia Tialata, Tony Woodcock, Jason Eaton, Bryn Evans, Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn, Tanerau Latimer, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerome Kaino, Kieran Read, Rodney So'oialo.

Backs: Jimmy Cowan, Brendon Leonard, Piri Weepu, Stephen Donald, Luke McAlister, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Isaia Toeava, Hosea Gear, Josevata Rokocoko, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Cory Jane, Mils Muliaina.

- © Fairfax NZ News