All Blacks: Afoa content to prop up the hookers

John Afoa could be called in a hooker during some point of the All Blacks' grand slam tour. Photo / Getty Images

He could visualise it as being thrown in the deep end, though John Afoa was buoyant at the prospect of positioning himself in front of an All Black lineout for the first time.

Granted it will take an unfortunate set of circumstances for that scenario to play out on New Zealand's Grand Slam rugby tour but Keven Mealamu's suspension - pending appeal - has already brought it a step closer.

Add in Andrew Hore's lack of match fitness after a six-month lay-off and Afoa's job description as the prop that can cover both sides and fourth-choice hooker could yet get a working over.

"I guess with Kevvy getting a rest, if one more falls over it could always happen," he said ahead of Sunday's (NZT) test against Scotland at Murrayfield.

Hours before a fatalistic Mealamu fronted a judicial hearing for head butting England captain Lewis Moody at Twickenham last weekend, he took his Auckland and Blues front row companion aside for some extra tuition.

"After training Kevvy said 'Let's throw a few darts.' We were there 20 minutes throwing the ball. Shag (assistant coach Steve Hansen) stuck around and gave me a few pointers on the release of the ball too and the way I was holding it."

Afoa said he would be confident if eventually called upon to service a lineout that operated at 100 per cent efficiency against the English.

"I haven't done any throwing into an actual lineout but I've been doing plenty of practice," he said.

"I'm at a stage where I'm only five months into it, I'm reasonably happy."

Debutant-in-waiting Hika Elliot is likely to start in the No 2 jersey against Scotland with Hore in reserve; Ben Frank's back spasms and Neemia Tialata's jetlag should guarantee Afoa his third bench spot after being among the substitutes in Hong Kong and London.

Afoa had expected to concentrate on propping during the five-test tour though he has long been identified as a potential back-up hooker.

"They (All Blacks selectors) mentioned it last year and a little bit the year before but it was nothing serious," he said.

It took until Afoa was overlooked for the June internationals before the 27-year-old realised the selectors were urging him in a positive direction.

"When I missed out earlier this year they said we really want you to try this out and give it a good go, it could be a good thing in the future," said Afoa who was recalled for the Tri-Nations clinching epic in Soweto.

So far his experience in the middle of the front row is minimal - 10 or so minutes for Auckland and then a game for the B side in Rotorua as Graham Henry assessed his suitability for a third Grand Slam tour.

"I've only had bits and bobs, a run here or there. Next year's going to be the big thing," Afoa said.

"I really want to have a good nudge at in the Super 15 and see what happens."

Afoa has history at hooker - he played there for the St Kentigern College first XV though admittedly the role has changed in the intervening 13 years.

"The balls weren't as fast back then. We just threw it in and just hoped it got there," said Afoa, who played the first of his 27 caps during the 2005 Grand Slam-winning expedition.

"Throwing is quite a detailed skill, I thought I'd just grab it and throw it in."

Timing his delivery was his biggest issue, particularly in the depths of winter.

"The wet ball is just a killer. If the lifter is a bit slow you throw that ball, it misses and everyone plays you. I feel the pain of the hookers."

- NZPA