All Blacks: Coaches defend gamble as de Malmanche flies in

Aled de Malmanche has dropped his holiday in Bali to cover for the injured Corey Flynn. Photo / Getty Images

LONDON - The All Blacks insist their gamble to pick just two hookers in their rugby tour squad hasn't backfired as a Corey Flynn hamstring strain saw Aled de Malmanche rushed in from a Bali holiday for a potential bench spot against England.

Flynn was rated doubtful for Sunday's (NZT) test at Twickenham after suffering the twinge near the end of yesterday's session.

As youngsters Owen Franks and Zac Guildford loomed into contention for starting spots, de Malmanche was tracked down on his Indonesian getaway for a flight to London where he was scheduled to arrive later today, around 6pm (NZT).

Should the luckless Flynn be ruled out, and frontliner Andrew Hore suffer an early injury, de Malmanche could enter the Twickenham cauldron after a total of seven minutes in his two test appearances this year against Italy and Australia.

While he was dynamic for beaten Super 14 finalists the Chiefs, 25-year-old de Malmanche's shaky lineout throwing worked against his selection for this tour.

In a 33-man squad, the selectors opted for Liam Messam as an extra loose forward, with prop John Afoa the designated hooking cover.

"We felt if an injury happened on a Friday we could cover with John Afoa; he's been training with throwing and hooking duties, and if it happened earlier in the week we could fly someone over as we do in other positions. That's what happened," assistant coach Wayne Smith said.

"He's a hard worker, an explosive athlete, and everyone knows he's got some work to do on his throwing. He's been doing that and he'll fit in very well."

Flynn still hoped to be fit to face England as he stood idle at training at Latymer Upper School in west London today.

He made a solid return in his first test start since 2003 in Milan on Sunday, scoring the All Blacks' only try in just his sixth test appearance.

"At least it's not a broken arm like he's had the last couple of years. It's fixable, it's touch and go for the weekend but at least it's not terminal for his tour," Smith said.

"He had a great game against Italy, he really stood up so he'd be pretty happy with himself."

Meanwhile, Smith said there were still opportunities for newcomers to press their claims, as tighthead prop Franks and winger Guildford both played prominent roles at training.

The first serious session of the week offered hints that the pair were contenders for an otherwise full-strength All Blacks starting lineup.

Their inclusion would make sense as it would rest Neemia Tialata and Cory Jane, the only All Blacks to start all three tests on tour and who would likely return to face France in Marseille next week.

"There's room for young guys to go ahead in this team, definitely," Smith said.

"We probably won't play the same team exactly against England and France, we're looking for competition for spots and that's what we're getting."

Franks, 21, was impressive in seven test appearances this season, including starts against South Africa in Durban and Hamilton, and Australia in Sydney.

Guildford, 20, was excellent on debut against Wales in Cardiff on the left wing, and if selected would probably switch to the right to accommodate Sitiveni Sivivatu.

Coach Graham Henry will name his side early tomorrow (NZT), with Adam Thomson perhaps edging in front of Jerome Kaino in the tense battle for the No 6 jersey and Tom Donnelly the frontunner to be Brad Thorn's locking partner.

Thorn sat out much of the team run and did his own running and stretching, but Smith said that was normal and there was no concern over his fitness.

- NZPA