03/07/2006 10:00 AM
Marc Hinton
The drums are beating a fairly firm message that Mils Muliaina will be be named at centre when Graham Henry announces his All Blacks lineup to face Australia in Saturday night's Tri Nations opener at Jade Stadium.
Wallabies coach John Connolly has said he expects Henry to run with Muliaina in the No 13 jersey in Christchurch, while a New Zealand Sunday newspaper claiming to have been "leaked" the All Blacks starting XV also predicted the move to centre for the incumbent fullback.
If Muliaina is named to oppose the Wallabies' in-form Stirling Mortlock in midfield it would be the fourth No 13 in as many tests for Henry. The All Blacks coach used Ma'a Nonu and Casey Laulala there against Ireland and youngster Isaia Toeava in the narrow win over the Pumas in Argentina.
Connolly told the Sydney Morning Herald that he expected to see Muliaina in the midfield on Saturday night, a move that would allow Leon MacDonald also to be included in the starting XV.
"Mils has played a fair bit in the centres, and the All Blacks selectors really like MacDonald," Connolly said. "So we're expecting to see both of them out there on Saturday night."
Henry said earlier this year he would likely use Muliaina at centre at some stage this year, though it's strange that he didn't give the Chiefs player a run there during one of the early tests.
It could be that, having seen nothing compelling from the three options tried so far, that he feels forced to make the move.
It will not be without risk. The last two specialist fullbacks moved to centre for the All Blacks have been unmitigated disasters, Leon MacDonald ineffective there at the 2003 World Cup and Christian Cullen likewise in 1999.
The Wallabies coach also tipped Henry to hand a start to Jason Eaton in the second row ahead of the more experienced Ali Williams in what is probably the only other contentious selection decision.
Williams, with 31 test caps, has vastly more experience than Eaton who has played just the four internationals.
But the Hurricanes lock has been in far better form than Williams throughout 2006 and probably deserves the start alongside Chris Jack to open the Tri Nations.
The only other close call is likely to be at halfback, though Henry is likely to name Byron Kelleher to match up against Geaorge Gregan, and leave Piri Weepu to enter the fray off the bench.
The rest of the team should pick itself, with Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu and Carl Hayman in the front row, Richie McCaw, Jerry Collins and Rodney So'oialo the now established loose trio, Dan Carter and Aaron Mauger in the five-eighths and Rico Gear likely to nudge out Doug Howlett for the right wing spot, with Joe Rokocoko over on the left side.
The Wallabies, meanwhile, are being tipped to send out an identical starting XV to that which hammered Ireland in Perth last month.
With Matt Giteau dislocating his thumb in club action at the weekend and flanker Daniel Heenan being despatched from camp in Coffs Harbour for scans on a shoulder injury, it is looking likely that Connolly will send out an unchanged XV.
There had been speculation that Giteau and Heenan could put pressure on Mat Rogers and Mark Chisholm respectively, though injuries have taken the edge off that.
Connolly has some issues in his backup loose mix, with Western Force's Scott Fava likely to earn the bench spot this weekend as Wycliff Palu also battles a hamstring strain.
"It does stretch things a bit in the back row, as we now have Heenan, Palu, Hugh McMeniman, Stephen Hoiles and David Lyons all out of action," Connolly told the SMH.
He may yet find a bench spot for Giteau, depending on how well he comes through his thumb problems (he was cleared of a fracture at the weekend). Clyde Rathbone is rated only a rough chance of making the squad as he battles his own hamstring issues and Connolly said Giteau would be given every chance to show his readiness for a reserves role.
"We will check the injury after it settles down [on Monday], but Matt should still be in contention," Connolly said.
Both the All Blacks and Wallabies will name their lineups on Tuesday.
Meanwhile NSW Waratahs second rower Al Kanaar will play no part in the Tri Nations after breaking his ankle in a club match in Sydney. He is out of action for up to three months.
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