By WYNNE GRAY
LILLE - Canterbury players look set to dominate the All Blacks starting XV for the first test against France in Paris on Sunday morning, with as many as nine of them running onto Stade de France.
And that would be bad news for former skipper Taine Randell, who is facing relegation to the reserves when the team is announced tonight.
The team is likely to have four more Cantabrians selected in the pack, with another in Daryl Gibson back in midfield, and a total of six changes from the team which lost 40-46 to South Africa in the final Tri-Nations test earlier this year.
Auckland wing Doug Howlett is a good chance to start a test for the first time at the weekend.
Depending on injuries to Norm Maxwell (groin) and Ron Cribb (ankle), signs from training were that Scott Robertson and Reuben Thorne would make the loose forwards, with Greg Somerville and Greg Feek coming into the front row.
That choice would place Randell in the reserves and jeopardise his unbroken run of 38 tests since he was first selected in 1997.
It seemed the extended use of Thorne at training on the blindside would mean a promotion today as the All Blacks seek more lineout options and size to combat the French.
Ideas about Randell challenging for the openside job, vacated by the retiring Josh Kronfeld, also seem to have evaporated, with the versatile loose forward left to provide cover off the bench.
If the practice ground formations remain, the All Blacks will use Tana Umaga at centre with Gibson inside him in place of Pita Alatini.
Gone from the Springbok test would be Alama Ieremia, Alatini, Randell, Kronfeld, Kees Meeuws and Carl Hoeft.
The new formation would bring Canterbury's quota up to six forwards, plus Justin Marshall, Andrew Mehrtens and Gibson.
While Maxwell went through some light running, there is still doubt whether his tender groin will allow him to start.
The lock was cautiously optimistic, though he admitted to twinges during his light workout. Troy Flavell took his place in a team run, with New Zealand A lock Dion Waller also involved in the session as cover.
Cribb wrenched his right ankle during an earlier session, but seemed confident of a recovery as he watched Filo Tiatia charge round in his place.
"We don't think it is major, so he should be right," coach Wayne Smith said. "Maxwell is recovering well and we are optimistic."
All players wanted for the test would need to complete a full training session before being considered.
* Likely XV: Christian Cullen, Doug Howlett, Tana Umaga, Daryl Gibson, Jonah Lomu, Andrew Mehrtens, Justin Marshall, Ron Cribb, Scott Robertson, Reuben Thorne, Norm Maxwell, Todd Blackadder (capt), Greg Somerville, Anton Oliver, Greg Feek.
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Canterbury domination of pack may oust Randell
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