All Blacks: The battle for jersey possession

Tanerau Latimer trains at Milan's Arena Civica this week for his second test against Italy's `Azzurri' this year. Photo / Getty Images

As dead-end jobs go, Tanerau Latimer has one of the better ones. The Bay of Plenty openside has the unenviable task of backing up Richie McCaw - the All Black captain; a man regarded as a national treasure, and a player who is staying exactly where he is for another two years.

Opportunities for Latimer to prove he is good enough to play test football will be few and far between. He knows that - the 23-year-old is blessed with a keen sense of realism.

And he knows that even if he does show he is international class, his reward will more often than not be an immediate demotion.

None of this appears to deflate Latimer. He will take to the San Siro tomorrow morning with a clear head,

"At the moment it is about playing to secure a position in the [match-day] 22," says Latimer. "But the ultimate goal is to be as good as Richie McCaw. But to get there, I have to be better than him."

That's some mountain to climb. On two occasions now - the 2006 Brisbane Bledisloe Cup match against the Wallabies and in Cape Town last year - All Black coach Graham Henry has been moved to suggest that it would not have been possible to play better than McCaw did in those tests.

So what's Latimer's plan? How is he going to achieve his short-term goal of persuading the selectors that he is worthy of a place in the 22 when they pick their strongest team?

In the past year, Henry and his assistants have been reluctant to work with a specialist openside on the bench. Instead they have preferred the more versatile talents of the likes of Adam Thomson and Kieran Read.

"They have given me tasks that I need to do," says Latimer. "The major thing is my tackling. I need to become a bit more ruthless and also in the tackle-over-the-ball stuff."

The Italians will present him with a prime opportunity to present his credentials. The Azzurri might lack a cutting edge out wide, they might be a little pedestrian in midfield, but they have a pack that is as good as any in the Six Nations.

Most of their forwards are seasoned professionals, having clocked years in France and England, and they live for the collision.

Latimer knows what the Italians can do - he earned his second cap against them in June. He also knows that by the end of 80 minutes, he will have been pummelled. His back-row comrade, Liam Messam, joked earlier in the week how he would not want to fill the No 7 jersey for any price.

"Just look at Richie," says Latimer. "He is covered in cuts and scrapes and broken fingers and what-not. It is the most physical position in rugby, I guess. The reward is the satisfaction you get from playing well.

"When you are a No 7, that comes from turning over the pill and picking some good running lines."

There is another reward awaiting a quality performance. The issue of McCaw's back-up is a nagging question that has not been answered since Marty Holah left New Zealand in 2006. Chris Masoe had his moments without ever fully convincing, and a host of others have been pressed into action without being committed to the role.

Latimer saw off the challenge of George Whitelock to win selection for the tour and clearly has the backing of the selectors.

They will want to have their faith repaid. Graham Henry repeated his view this week that those chosen to play Italy are under pressure to prove themselves. And they will have to do so in an environment that will be more intimidating and more hostile than anything any of them have previously encountered.

The team have been briefed about what to expect; about the passion the crowd will bring and the effects that could have. Back home, Latimer says he's never normally aware of the crowd.

"But 80,000 is a different issue. Especially when they are all screaming for one team."

- HERALD ON SUNDAY