KEY POINTS:
This is a casting call for an actor to play the mighty Jonah Lomu. No, it's not a movie about the great man's life. However, the giant winger is sure to have a semi-starring role in a movie based on Nelson Mandela's role at the 1995 World Cup final between the All Blacks and host nation South Africa.
It was a game that united the republic in the aftermath of apartheid and cast New Zealand into the depths of despair - yet again. Okay, so most of the ABs were struck down by food poisoning the day before the final but hey, we lost.
Mandela, who was president at the time and will be played by Oscar winner Morgan Freeman, used the tournament to bring whites and blacks together. He famously wore a Springbok rugby jersey when he presented South African captain Francois Pienaar with the William Webb Ellis Cup.
Because of the result, when that bloody Joel Stransky landed a drop goal in extra time to give the Boks the win, that day is best forgotten for most New Zealanders.
But now, what we want to know is who will play the mighty Jonah Lomu in the movie? It's big boots, and thighs for that matter, to fill. Remember his four-try blitz of Britain in the semi final? Poor old Mike Catt.
Temuera Morrison beefs up pretty well after a few eggs. But perhaps Tem is a little too old since Jonah was a fresh-faced 21-year-old then. Baby-faced, yet solid Sione's Wedding star, Robbie Magasiva could be a goer.
For a more brutal approach, Maori actor Lawrence Makoare, who played Gothmog and Witchking in Lord of the Rings, has the right stature. Or from Hollywood, what about the Rock? Although, Jonah is a far more natural looking behemoth than the preened and pumped-up former wrestler-turned-actor.
Or perhaps No 8 Rodney So'oialo after his match-saving run last weekend. He used to play in the backs as a kid. However, he would have to be persuaded to shave his dreads off and have his acting skills put to the test.
Speaking of Saturday's game against the Boks, doesn't it make your heart flutter now that the ABs have taken on the win-at-all-costs attitude. Okay, so they lagged behind for most of the test but the late flurry made for some gut-wrenching and I-can't-watch TV.
I was the sober driver on Saturday, a rare occurrence when the rugger is on, and afterwards I couldn't get to sleep because the ticker was still working overtime trying to keep up with rampaging Rodney.
It's better than watching a stoic and sunglass-wearing Dean Barker. The most exciting thing about the America's Cup is hearing the result after a good night's sleep.
Anyway, back to the rugby. Last weekend's game shows the ABs have started to develop the mongrel rather than rolling over like 15 playful pooches at crucial stages of the game. They have learned, like the savage South Africans (that Schalk Burger fella should be housed in a game park), to shut up and play. Now, all we have to do is work on the butterfingers.
While the ABs make great TV, Pop's Ultimate Star does not. It's no wonder the ratings of the TV2 music show have waned. That's what happens when you produce a show where the contestants are, let's face it, a bunch of has-beens.
It's also no surprise the show has gone from two nights a week to one (Sunday, 7pm). And, as Herald media columnist John Drinnan pointed out this week, it will be interesting to see if it slips to the 9.30pm slot on Sunday and is replaced by a nice fluffy kids' movie.
And finally, one last thought for the week. Can someone in the TV3 make-up department please powder down the sweating contestants on Deal Or No Deal during the ad breaks. Or give them a towel to tuck in their pants like hip-hop stars do when they perform.
