Ban on tsunami match eased

NZRFU deputy Steve Tew

Several All Blacks who were at Twickenham in November may return for the tsunami benefit match at the same ground next month.

A shortlist has been compiled and the players will be approached in the next few days to check their interest in competing in the IRB-organised north-south charity match on March 5.

All Black coach Graham Henry has been liaising with Super 12 coaches about contenders, and franchise chief executives have been discussing the issues with NZRFU deputy Steve Tew.

"We would like to play our part," Tew said, "but we also have to be mindful that our five Super 12 teams are not disrupted.

"We need to spread the load evenly and also have to remember that there will be a sevens team going to the World Cup about the same time.

"It is quite possible there will be some All Blacks who were on the last tour to Europe but in the end it is about getting some agreement with the franchise, the player and coach Rod Macqueen."

Tew's comments mean the NZRFU's stance has eased after initial comments from chief executive Chris Moller that New Zealand would be represented only by former internationals.

However, Tew would not reveal any contenders nor did he think it likely All Black captain Tama Umaga would join Australian captain George Gregan in the game, as suggested by Macqueen.

"New Zealand and Australia have very different workloads this season," he said.

Players would probably miss two rounds of the Super 12, it would be their second trip to Britain in a short time and it was important to consider player welfare.

The IRB had earlier expressed surprise at Australian and New Zealand criticism of the date for the match, expected to attract two world-class teams, which coincides with a full round of the Super 12.

Blues coach Peter Sloane sidestepped questions about any of his Super 12 squad being asked to turn out in the charity match as he assessed the return of the All Blacks to training this week.

He said wing Doug Howlett and Luke McAlister would train lightly as they recuperated from leg injuries while standby lock Bryce Williams would be out of rugby for about six months after shoulder surgery.

"The All Blacks have all had a good break, they look mentally sharp and I think it is the best I have seen someone like Carlos [Spencer] for a while," said Sloane.

New coaching staff David Nucifora and Joe Schmidt had taken on a fair workload and brought a fresh perspective to the Blues in what may be Sloane's swansong Super 12 season.

"We have heard a whole lot of new viewpoints and they have the advantage of not being cluttered with any Blues baggage or history," the coach said.

The session yesterday was crisp, although lock Bradley Mika appeared to twing a hamstring and several others suffered niggles and bumps after some intensive contact work.

The Blues will have a squad simulated game tomorrow before playing two trial Super 12 matches against the Hurricanes in Hastings on February 11 and the Warratahs in Whangarei on February 18.

Charity game

North v South, March 5, Twickenham

Coaches

South: Rod Macqueen
North: Clive Woodward