Cory Jane desperate to start against France

LAWRENCE SMITH/Fairfax Media

DEFINING TEST: All Black wing Cory Jane is desperate to get back on the track this week in a test that will define their season.

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It's the tightest call in the All Blacks ahead of Saturday's season-defining test here against France, but don't be surprised to see Wellington's Cory Jane unleashed on the right wing this week.

No matter that rookie Zac Guildford has hardly put a foot wrong in his two appearances there on tour (against Wales and England). Jane, too, has handled his assignments in the No 14 jersey with aplomb and after his spectator role at Twickenham, following three straight starts, it's fair to say he's jumping out of his skin.

The 26-year-old second-year All Black confirmed the watching brief doesn't exactly sit well with him, and he's desperate to get back on the track this week in a test that will define this New Zealand team's season.

"I wasn't too bad during the week, but then as the game came along and the boys started getting a bit pumped up, it was pretty difficult sitting there and watching. But that's life, eh," shrugged this talented utility who covers both fullback and wing.

Jane understood why he was rested last week, and conceded he was feeling a little tired as this long season winds down. "But as soon as the boys came out there the body seemed to feel all right," he added, with a grin.

The All Blacks coaches have been impressed with Guildford's first two tests and admit it's going to be a big call to pick two starters from their three form wings. But Jane has performed so well whenever he's been called on this season (nine tests, all told) it would be a major departure from type to overlook him. These are men who like to reward consistency.

Jane is aware that scoring tries would help his cause (he has one from 11 tests, eight of them as a starter). And so far on this trip the wings are not exactly helping themselves on that score, with hookers (two) having contributed twice as many touchdowns as the finishers out wide (one).

"Its good to have competition," added Jane, "it makes you a bit hungrier. It makes the battle even better. It's always frustrating when you don't play, but you just go out and concentrate on your game and the coaches and everyone else can worry about selection."

But he also concedes the once-feared All Blacks attacking game remains a major concern ahead of the Stade Velodrome "Battle of the Hemispheres" on Saturday night.

The New Zealanders are running at a try a test for their last three outings and a grand total of five in four matches on tour is hardly setting the world on fire... Never mind that their defensive line has yet to be broken in Europe (for the second straight year) and their last five-pointer conceded was 35 minutes into the Tokyo Bledisloe.

That's 285 test minutes without having their line crossed, which is impressive stuff indeed.

Jane remains hopeful that the attack can go up a level this week. "We just need to clamp down, get the set piece right... and we need to talk a bit more and help each other out. We're slowly getting better, and the boys are starting to pop up in the right holes.

"We're on the improve and we just hope we can tick it off this weekend and have a good backline performance."

It would certainly be timely. The rugby world is billing this the contest to decide global supremacy, with the jaded Boks having faded after their big season.

"It's a big one," noted Jane. "We came here with the goal to win all the tests and become No 1 in the world again. We wouldn't want to get this far, and fall apart in this game. To lose would be pretty gutting. When they came to New Zealand it was 1-1. We're at their crib now, and it's going to be a tough battle."

The All Blacks have 34 fit players available for selection this week, and after a light run-around today on a sunny day in Marseille will start preparations proper tomorrow. Expect Jane and Neemia Tialata (back at tighthead) to be the only changes to the side that made it eight in a row against England at the weekend.

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