All Blacks hopefuls on notice

By WYNNE GRAY

When the NPC changed to its finals format a decade ago, Waikato claimed the title in their sole success in the first division.

It was a significant success, but that victory was tainted by the eye-gouging handiwork of prop Richard Loe on the Otago fullback and present co-coach Greg Cooper.

Today's semifinal meeting at Waikato Stadium between the same provinces offers greater consequences for the combatants.

It is another All Black trial in the final group of matches which hold such intense interest for the national selectors.

That panel talks about finding consistent players, those who can hold up under pressure, who perform when the heat is hottest.

Waikato lost one of their All Black contenders on Thursday when first five-eighths David Hill succumbed to a groin injury in a season which has been blighted by persistent leg problems.

His exit is another in the series of selection dramas Waikato have encountered during this NPC. They were without Mark Ranby, Loki Crichton, Hill, Rhys Duggan, Isaac Boss, Jono Gibbes and Royce Willis for extended periods, but showed great resilience to lose just once in section play - against Otago at Carisbrook where they played below their usual standards.

Otago have battled with variable form and a lack of venom in their attack.

However, if the noises are right, both sides have about an equal number of All Black contenders at work.

Most of those Otago aspirants are in their pack, a group which is led by Taine Randell, who is being touted as the best choice to replace Reuben Thorne as captain on the All Black tour to England, France and Wales next month.

Several weeks ago that same Otago mob travelled to Auckland and were given a tune-up.

If they suffer the same fate against the Waikato pack it must harm some tour chances, and it must provoke concern about Randell's leadership.

This is a huge evening for Randell, Josh Blackie, Simon Maling, Filipo Levi, Carl Hayman, Carl Hoeft, Joe McDonnell and Sam Harding - if that last pair get on the field.

If Deon Muir, Waikato's warrior skipper playing his 100th match for the province, Marty Holah, Keith Robinson, Deacon Manu and the repaired Gibbes stand and deliver in the Mooloo pack, they must move forward in the national ratings.

Just Danny Lee and Ryan Nicholas are national threats in the Otago backline where they face Roger Randle, Regan King, Keith Lowen and perhaps Ranby for tour places.

But it could be three players who will not be on tour who will decide the outcome of this second semifinal.

After Hill's repeat injury, the departing Bruce Reihana will be goalkicking again for Waikato and being asked to counter-attack with his menace which seems more damaging than Randle's.

Five-eighths Derek Maisey starred early for Waikato with his running game, but it will be his match direction which needs to lift for this sudden-death decider.

The same applies to Blair Feeney, the slight but underrated Otago pivot, who has been a clever organiser and useful goalkicker for the visitors.

How they line up

Waikato: Todd Miller, Roger Randle, Regan King, Keith Lowen, Bruce Reihana, Derek Maisey, Rhys Duggan, Deon Muir (capt), Marty Holah, Jono Gibbes, Keith Robinson, Sean Hohneck, Deacon Manu, Greg Smith, Michael Collins. Res: Loki Crichton, Mark Ranby, Isaac Boss, Steven Bates, Scott Couch, David Briggs, Scott Linklater.

Otago: Neil Brew, Aisea Tuilevu, Ryan Nicholas, Seilala Mapusua, Seru Rabeni, Blair Feeney, Danny Lee, Taine Randell (capt), Josh Blackie, Kelvin Middleton, Simon Maling, Filipo Levi, Carl Hayman, Jason MacDonald, Carl Hoeft. Res: Nick Fisher, Joe McDonnell, Peter Bowden, Sam Harding, Cory Brown, Sam Young, James Jowsey.

Referee: Steve Walsh (North Harbour). Kickoff: 7.35pm