Lauaki can still be a force in All Blacks

BY DUNCAN JOHNSTONE IN SOUTH AFRICA

Don't give up on Sione Lauaki "the freak" - that's the impassioned plea by Chiefs players and management as the big No 8's New Zealand career hangs in the balance.

They say the blockbusting 27-year-old can still be a major force at test level, emphasising he was a massive part in their historic drive to a first Super 14 final - both on and off the field.

Whether that translates into an All Blacks recall at today's squad announcement in Auckland remains to be seen.

Lauaki was axed by the All Blacks selectors last year as their patience ran out on him following a series of handling howlers in the Bledisloe Cup loss to the Wallabies in Sydney.

He featured as a substitute in the subsequent rout of Samoa but that was the last of his 17 tests as the All Blacks ignored him for the rest of the Tri-Nations and dumped him for the Grand Slam tour.

Lauaki has turned down several overseas offers, including a huge one from Japan, to try to reignite his All Blacks career. His NZRU contract runs out this year although he has an escape clause to leave earlier if that dream isn't realised as some stage in another busy test year.

The Chiefs have 11 past or present All Blacks in their ranks and will justifiably be hoping for a good representation at this afternoon's announcement for the squad to play France and Italy.

But even with incumbent test No 8 Rodney So'oialo looking weary during the Hurricanes run to the playoffs, the odds suggest Lauaki will be overlooked again and put in the Junior All Blacks under his Chiefs coach Ian Foster to further prove his accuracy and desire to return to the top level, possibly during the Tri-Nations.

Some of the Chiefs reckon he has already done that and believe he is a unique player whose skills and ability to get over the advantage line mustn't be ignored as the All Blacks take the next step in planning their road to the 2011 World Cup.

"When Sione is on form and on song there is no one better in the world," said Chiefs forwards coach Craig Stevenson.

"He has certainly helped us when he is carrying well and in that rampaging mood.

"That try he scored against the Hurricanes - only he could have scored that. And don't forget he went past two or three All Blacks to get it. When he is in that mood and form and his body allows him to he's unrivalled.

"What people don't understand about him sometimes is that he is very, very skillful. A lot of people just think of him as a big ball carrier but he has an amazing sense for space and gaps and his ball skills are amazing."

Stevenson said a new Lauaki had emerged this year in terms of his problematic fitness and attitude.

"He's been really settled. He's moved to Hamilton and bought a house there. He hasn't been travelling and that's helped with his body ... he has got himself fit.

"His leadership within this team has been outstanding this year. I just think he has got himself sorted and he's playing accordingly."

Fellow Chiefs loose forward Liam Messam who will have fingers crossed for his own retention in the All Blacks after pushing on with the Chiefs in the wake of his Grand Slam debut, said Lauaki "definitely" had more to give as an All Black.

"I call him the freak. There are things that he can do that other guys can't do," said Messam.

He said Lauaki had taken his axing hard last year but had put his head down and got on with trying to prove himself to get back in the frame.

"The areas that have impressed me this year are his work rate and discipline and turning things into a positive.

"He was pretty disappointed in missing out on the All Blacks and the way that he got dropped from the team. The character that he has shown to bounce back has come with stepping up to a real leader in this team. And the way he has performed was a big part of us getting to the final."

Messam, who has played alongside Lauaki for four years at the Chiefs believed patience and steady game time were the key to turning around his inconsistencies. The Chiefs had proved that and it could be applied at the next level where Lauaki has had a rollercoaster test career, being in and out of the team over the last four years that included being overlooked altogether in 2006.

"I think sometimes he doesn't get enough chances maybe," Messam offered as a theory to Lauaki's inability to transfer his deadly provincial form into the test arena on a consistent basis.

"He plays one game and it might be a bad one and they drop him. I think with Wax, you just have to trust him and give him time. He has always been a slow starter for us but he peaks at the right time of the year."

Stevenson agreed, saying Lauaki enjoys and needs time in the middle.

"When he has come off the bench for the All Blacks he has done a really good job. It's just a matter of developing and learning what role he needs and making sure he's comfortable and confident in that role and environment."

 

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