Chris Rattue: Umaga would still look great in black

Tana Umaga. File photo / Getty Images

Tana Umaga back in black, at the World Cup? Really? The first reaction to this story was mild surprise and humour, but try brushing the idea off and it won't go away.

A day or so after reading the Sunday News story - in which the 37-year-old Chiefs recruit said he would seriously consider making himself available if asked by Graham Henry - the unthinkable has become another prospective World Cup story to savour.

How wonderful to see Umaga back in Super 15 for a start. He is making a stand for the veterans, and against society's tendency to dismiss people because of age.

Employment legislation now recognises that a number is no valid reason to dump anyone into an easy chair.

In sport, no two minds and bodies are exactly the same. With the remarkable Brad Thorn, Umaga is showing there can be a rugby life long after 30.

Umaga is one of the finest All Blacks, a genuine star, and a character beyond the latter-day cardboard cut-outs who absorb a lot of limelight while reflecting very little back.

His reported role in luring Sonny Bill Williams away from the Canterbury Bulldogs didn't win him any affection in this heart. But it is still terrific to see a player of this ilk back on our fields and no coincidence that a small Counties Manukau revival occurred after he arrived.

As for an All Black recall - why not?

Some fans are adopting a wait-and-see attitude but there have also been remarkably vitriolic responses, including unsubstantiated claims that Umaga is past it. (We dogs of the press can be docile pussies compared to the biggest sports court in the land - public opinion).

In the World Cup year, where development is not an issue, let Umaga be judged primarily on form, not his birth certificate.

In addition, experience under pressure is priceless, on the field and within the squad.

And the midfield back stocks are not nearly as healthy as some would make out.

You may laugh at an Umaga comeback, but not nearly as much as when names like Luke McAlister, Sonny Bill Williams and Richard Kahui are read out as evidence of a mighty midfield.

Kahui's favoured status with the public never ceases to amaze. Okay, a fragile body has cut him down, but name the season, or even one campaign, which tells you that he is a genuine international winner. There isn't one - and a player can't live on potential forever.

SBW's bag of fancy tricks has yet to be honed at test level. The All Blacks didn't risk him against Australia, his best flashes came against the useless Scots, and he went missing in action against dopey Wales. McAlister is a flake whose career has been mismanaged.

The brilliantly powerful Rene Ranger has been shunted all over the place and suffers from a classic Blues frailty.

Robbie Fruean, a personal favourite of mine, will unfortunately remain underdone by World Cup time and also has the odd concentration lapse although he is the man to promote.

Conrad Smith is a very clever and much admired footballer, but lacks a physical presence.

Memories of Ma'a Nonu's thinking going astray under pressure won't go. Ditto Isaia Toeava.

A lot of nearly-men there, and certainly not enough midfield certainties to mean Umaga is definitely out of the frame six years after his last test, and eight since his bitter World Cup sidelining because of a disputed injury.

When someone with his experience and famed competitive nature says he might be up to the job, it pays to take notice.

Yes, this is a long shot, but not a ridiculous punt. Umaga will be realistic enough to know if he is up to the job and Graham Henry will surely remain keen to find out for himself.

As well placed as the All Blacks are, form and a win-at-all-costs mantra should still rule. No stone should be left unturned.

You can wager that Umaga, one of rugby's great warriors, will be thinking this way.

DOB THEM IN

Outright and widespread condemnation of sporting cheats, from their fellow players, wouldn't go amiss. Yet in the wake of every scandal, such as those dragging cricket and league through the mud, this is hard to find. There is a strange code of honour among the sporting elite.

GO LYDIA!

Lydia Ko goes from strength to strength. The 13-year-old golfer from North Shore has performed superbly again, finishing as the top amateur in the Australian Open and 12th overall. Every tournament confirms that we have a potential world superstar on our hands. She is a brilliant golfer who appears unflappable.

THE PRICE OF FISH

Ian Thorpe's is another riveting comeback story. I heard a radio commentator suggest that Thorpe's refusal to confirm his sexuality presented some kind of problem for his return to competition.

The Aussie swimming legend's sexuality is nobody else's business and should have absolutely nothing to do with the price of this fish.

SAVE THE PHOENIX

The Wellington Phoenix soccer club faces troubling times. Owner Terry Serepisos is seeking good money overseas to throw after bad. The company which owns the A-League franchise owes $1.5 million in tax.

This story has been bubbling along uncomfortably for a long time.

The Phoenix should be saved if at all possible. Whether soccer people like the club or not, the Phoenix have lifted the game's domestic profile, given local youngsters something real to aim at and played a part in the amazing World Cup story.

The Phoenix's late run last season was exciting and wonderful entertainment. We need variety in our sporting diet.

Maybe the Government and local authorities should step in to help our little corner of the world's biggest game. New Zealand's local and national leaders don't have much trouble bending over backwards when rugby needs a leg-up - the World Cup alone is costing hundreds of millions.

Rugby claims to have four million fans but keeps forgetting to count its taxpayers. A little bit of World Cup loose change would help set the Phoenix right.

Serepisos may have made mistakes, but he also saved New Zealand's A-League position. One stanza of possibly poor management should not be allowed to bring the whole house down - New Zealand soccer won't get this chance again.

THE BLINDED DRAGON

Warren Gatland is under pressure after a run of losses by Wales. You would think the Welsh might have noticed by now that their players and administrators are the problem, not the coach.