Munro ready to prove himself

It takes a lot to make Lachie Munro lose his feng shui.
Despite the fact that he appears to have been passed over as a first five-eighth prospect for next year's Super 14 by the Blues - in favour of Bay of Plenty's Mike Delany - the 22-year-old remains candid about the subject and even complimentary about his playing rival.
"It wasn't really a surprise, Mike's been one of the country's top first fives for a few years now and he was one of the guys they've been hunting," he said.
Munro's good efforts in the Air New Zealand Cup this season seem to have been overlooked - or perhaps undervalued - by the Blues selectors as they pursue Delany for a 2010 Super 14 contract.
A former Auckland "hot prospect", Munro was rejected by the Auckland selectors late last year but took it in his stride - accepting a Northland contract - and playing club rugby at Mid Western.
"I moved up to Northland and I'm really enjoying it up here. I'm trying to bury the hatchet and just get on with things and I feel I'm playing some good rugby and, hopefully, that will put me in good stead for next year's Super 14 ... but I don't want to speculate too much about it. We'll see how we go," he said.
Although the Blues wouldn't confirm that negotiations were under way, after striking out with Dan Carter and Aaron Cruden, there is no doubt they are in the market.
 Delany is likely to prove more receptive to the Blues advances, rather than stay with the Chiefs, where he is second choice to incumbent Stephen Donald.
The move could leave Munro out in the cold at the Blues with Tasesa Lavea a possible back-up to Delany, and Luke McAlister another possibility.
"I've always had my fingers crossed that I'd get a chance with the Blues but, hopefully, as I'm playing out wider right now, I might get a break out there," he said.
His move to the wing is - in true Munro style - taken as a positive.
"I'd like to show what I can do out there. I played out wide and at fullback for a few years before I started playing as a first five-eighth for Auckland and I'm looking forward to having another chance  this weekend."
Munro sees his most likely option for a Super-14 place is to go into the draft and he remains hopeful that another franchise will pick him up, stalling a possible move overseas.
"I've got a two-year contract with Northland at the moment, so I'll be up here again next year and, hopefully, that will lead to something in the Super 14," he said.
Although he has been displaced by the return of David Holwell, Munro is the first to say how much benefit that the Mid Northern stalwart has brought into the squad since his mid-season return.
"He's been fantastic. When other people say what the game plan is it's not quite as believable as when Dooley reads it off," he says.
"Everyone buys into it because he's got such vast experience that he really knows it's going to work.
"On the field, he's been invaluable, he's tough as, he goes to the line and gets us go-forward, not to mention his kicking game."
Northland coach Bryce Woodward said Munro has made great improvements - particularly in defence - and he would continue to improve as a player with experience.
With plenty of rugby ahead of him, it seems likely a matter of when - not if - Munro makes his true mark on the game.