League: Several contenders for No 6 jersey

One's an Aussie, one's a youngster with a famous name and the other is a centre who has often filled in when there were no other options.

Nathan Fien, Jerome Ropati and Nigel Vagana are the leading candidates to fill the troublesome Kiwis No 6 jersey in next month's Tri Nations.

Without Benji Marshall, recovering from yet another shoulder injury, coach Brian McClennan has had to consider other options - but at least he has options.

Since Olsen Filipaina hung up his boots in 1986, there have been a procession of players tried at five-eighths with varied success.

Too often in the recent past, Kiwi coaches have been left scratching their head over who to pick, rather than who to leave out.

Much of the debate over who will wear the No 6 jersey this time rests on who plays at hooker.

With Cowboys hooker David Faiumu out with a groin injury, Fien and Motu Tony are the obvious candidates but Tony could be unavailable for the opening Tri Nations games if his Hull side are in the UK Super League grand final.

If Tony is available, it opens up the possibility of Fien moving to five-eighths.

Fien recently pledged his future to the Kiwis but is battling to overcome a persistent back injury. The 27-year-old would be an asset throughout a Tri Nations campaign because of his versatility - he is equally comfortable at hooker, halfback and five-eighths.

Fien's Warriors team-mate Ropati is another option and has made great strides in the No 6 jersey this year, including a four-try performance against the Roosters.

But there is a fear the 21-year-old who has so far played just one test has one potentially costly mistake in him a game.

In contrast, Vagana is a proven campaigner, having played 32 tests. But the 31-year-old has had a difficult year with the Sharks, where he was dropped towards the end of the NRL campaign when they lost 10 on the bounce and his selection is no longer assured.

Former Kiwis skipper Hugh McGahan says Fien is the obvious choice to wear the No 6 jersey.

"He brings so much more and then Jerome could be used as cover," McGahan said.

"I think Nigel's days as a five-eighths are over. His experience would be invaluable to the team and he can cover a number of positions but I'm not sure how much longer he has at international level."

Former Kiwis coach Graham Lowe pitched for Ropati because he is the only one who has played regularly at five-eighths for his club throughout this season.

"Even though I see Jerome as a centre, especially at international level, he has been in outstanding form for the Warriors and would be my pick," Lowe said.

"The fact he has been wearing the No 6 jersey for the Warriors all season is a strong argument."

There are other possibilities, such as Bulldog Ben Roberts, who played five-eighths in June's 'test' against Great Britain. But that was more of a developmental exercise and it might be too soon to pitch him in for the Tri Nations.

Tony can fill in at five-eighths, as can Wakefield's David Solomona and St Helens' Vinnie Anderson but they would be outside chances.

The player who gets the nod will be revealed when McClennan names his squad for the opening Tri Nations match against Australia on October 14.