Tuitavake to wing it into the ABs

Rugbyheaven

Expect Anthony Tuitavake to be named in the All Blacks on Sunday, after coach Graham Henry gave the twinkle-toed Blues utility back a ringing endorsement as a wing at the wider training group camp in Auckland.
Henry explains his choices

Henry told RugbyHeaven that the All Black selectors viewed Tuitavake, who played impressively at centre for the Blues over the last month of their Super 14 campaign, as a winger first and foremost.

He also confirmed that they are likely to carry three wingers and two centres in their squad of 26 that will be named in Christchurch following the previous night's Super 14 final between the Crusaders and NSW Waratahs at AMI Stadium.

Given that Tuitavake, his Blues team-mate Rudi Wulf and Chiefs flyer Sitiveni Sivivatu are the only wingers at the 25-man camp in Auckland this week, and that the Crusaders pair of Kade Poki and Scott Hamilton are unlikely to force their way into the national picture, the selection of the aforementioned trio looks a certainty.

"We see him as a winger predominantly who can play centre, and we think he sees himself as a winger who can play centre now too," said Henry. "We'll probably pick three wingers and two centres, so he'll be a third guy who can play centre."

Backs coach Wayne Smith was a little less effusive: "Anthony played really well on the wing for the Blues but his move to centre also showed a lift in form for them. He's gone on record as saying he's more comfortable on the wing but he's also shown huge ability at centre so I don't think it's too big an issue."

That all adds up to inclusion for Tuitavake on Sunday which will be well deserved for a consistently high standard Super 14 for the sweet-stepping North Harbour player.

It would also seem to indicate that Conrad Smith and Richard Kahui, the two specialist No 13s at the camp in Auckland, would have the inside running for the centre berths, unless Crusaders midfielder Casey Laulala can force his way in with a spectacular final.

Henry otherwise steered clear of giving too much away as he spoke to media after the first on-field session involving the squad, which contains contenders for both the opening test squad and the more expanded end-of-year tour group.

But assistant coach Steve Hansen did confirm that Sunday's 26-man squad for the Iveco Series and subsequent Tri-Nations competition would come from either these 25 players in Auckland or Crusaders contesting Saturday night's final.

That means the five former All Blacks who missed the callup to the camp – Hurricanes trio Chris Masoe, Jason Eaton and Piri Weepu, and Blues backs Nick Evans and Isaia Toeava – are all definitely out of the picture.

Henry said the challenge now for those of them remaining in New Zealand was to prove they deserved another chance.

"They need to play bloody well in the Air NZ Cup. You never know what's going to happen in this group. There's always opportunities, always injuries and things like that. They've just got to stay positive and keep working on their game and we'll look at them in the Air NZ Cup."

Henry was also adamant Evans had not done enough to merit inclusion, though he conceded the player's imminent departure did not aid his cause.

"We thought as selectors there were two guys playing better at fullback than him, and two guys playing better at 10 than him. That's how our selection has been based. [But] leaving New Zealand obviously didn't help, let's be honest."

There was also a strong hint from forwards coach Steve Hansen that the All Blacks may not carry two specialist No 7s in their 26-man squad, which would be bad news for Daniel Braid of the Blues.

"There's a need to have access to two quality 7s, as there always has been," said Hansen. "We always had a contingency [plan] if the skipper got injured and that will be no different this time. We would expect Richie [McCaw] to play most of the games, so then we've got to ask ourselves how can we afford in a 26-man squad the luxury of taking two specialist 7s? You'll find out Sunday whether we do or don't."

And Hansen conceded that Hurricanes loosie Chris Masoe had been "unlucky" to miss the cut this time round. "He's been a good All Black when he's played, but we're looking at probably a different type of mix in the loose forwards with the new rules. He's been a casualty of that."

In terms of fitness, up to a half-dozen of the Auckland squad attendees were either on light duties or confined to the sideline. The group included Hurricanes skipper Rodney So'oialo who is still feeling his tender ribs, and experienced All Blacks Mils Muliaina and Tony Woodcock, as well as halfback Brendon Leonard, Kahui and prop Neemia Tialata.

 "What we'll do is pick 26, and if we've got a guy who can't play for a week or two we'll replace him," said Henry. "We'll then bring in an extra player as need be."

To that end the selectors will have fingers crossed that their key Crusaders players come through the final unscathed, even though as many as possible are likely to be given the Ireland test off to recover from their end-of-season workload.

But Henry confirmed So'oialo, who missed the Hurricanes' semifinal in Christchurch, would be fine to take his place against Ireland on June 7 if required.

Henry said the short turnaround of assembling on Monday and meeting the Irish the following Saturday was among the challenges facing the All Blacks from the off, as was adapting back to the pre-ELV laws which the Iveco Series will be played under.

But he was not looking to focus on the negatives at this stage, with the All Blacks coach just rapt to be back and coaching again after the long, and trying, off-season following last October's World Cup debacle in Cardiff.

"It is good. I think the guys have really enjoyed getting out here and coaching. The other guys (players) got back on the bike in February and we haven't been able to do that. So it's good for a coach to coach.

"I'm energised because I've got the opportunity to coach again," said Henry. "I enjoy coaching. It's why we do the job. The new guys will bring a huge amount of edge and enthusiasm and their challenge is to bed in as quickly as possible and our challenge is to help them do that." 

Are you happy with Anthony Tuitavake on the All Black wing? Or would you rather see him at centre? Post any comments you might have on Graham Henry's likely All Blacks squad in our comments system below.