Anesi vows all out attack

Sosene Anesi in training. Herald file picture

NAPIER - The All Blacks selectors won't die wondering about Sosene Anesi after tomorrow's rugby trial here.

The Waikato excitement machine vowed he will attack from everywhere for the Probables as he continues to plot his dizzying rise up the New Zealand rugby ranks.

Anesi, who 10 months ago hadn't even played NPC, makes up a slick Probables back three of Sitiveni Sivivatu and Doug Howlett -- both of whom have a final point to prove before the All Blacks squad to face Fiji are named on Saturday morning.

Anesi had the eager look of a kid in a candy store at Probables training yesterday, and admitted he only knew one way to play.

"I like fullback more because I know I'll get the ball and more space, and with Sitiveni and Doug out there we should have a good combination," Anesi said.

"My kicking option's not that great so I'll probably just have a go from the back as much as I can."

That should be enough to warn his Chiefs teammate Stephen Donald that any stray kicks from Possibles territory could be punished.

Anesi's story is one of the best of the 44 hopefuls jostling for All Blacks and Junior All Blacks spots tomorrow in the absence of the frontline Crusaders and New Zealand Maori reps.

He arrived from Samoa in his last year of school on exchange with Hamilton's St John's College, and liked it so much he stayed on.

With a fastest 100m time of 10.6 seconds, it wasn't long before he was noticed by national sevens scouts and summoned to trainings.

But disaster struck in 2001, his year from hell when both knees blew out in separate training incidents, both requiring reconstructions.

"When I got injuries on both my knees I thought that was going to be it for me, just club rugby," he said.

But he worked overtime on recovery, retained his blistering speed and turned down a chance to play for Samoa at the 2003 World Cup after compatriot and former All Blacks midfielder Alama Ieremia encouraged him to chase a black jersey.

He debuted for Waikato in last year's NPC and this season, at 23, he turned heads in the Super 12 when he started every Chiefs match.

After switching from wing to his preferred fullback, the combination with the rampant Sivivatu got better and better until their memorable first half dismantling of the Highlanders defence in Hamilton last month.

Anesi said Howlett had helped him relax in the Probables camp this week and there was no lack of confidence.

The presence of Sivivatu -- who would need a shocker tomorrow to miss the All Blacks squad -- has calmed Anesi who proudly claims to have the edge over his teammate in speed tests this year.

"I've got the best time at the moment," he beamed.

Realistically, Anesi won't be ready for the All Blacks with Mils Muliaina and Leon MacDonald in the frame, but a chance for Junior All Blacks selection to tour Australia would be ample reward.

"There's a few injured players at the moment so I've just got to do my job and go for it.

"It's a big shock for me, everything's been happening very quickly, but I've really enjoyed my first season and hopefully I get another one."

Most interest tomorrow for All Blacks claims will centre on Sivivatu and Howlett's performance, Ali Williams at lock, Steven Bates at No 8, Sione Lauaki on the blindside and Ma'a Nonu who teams up in the Possibles midfield with fellow Hurricane Conrad Smith.

- NZPA