Cup prospects need local game to tune through

Sonny Bill Williams is among those who need to pull on their provincial rugby jerseys to stay in top shape leading up to the World Cup. Photo / Brett Phibbs

It's time for Sonny Bill Williams, Julian Savea, Colin Slade, Codie Taylor, Andy Ellis and other All Blacks to pull on their provincial rugby jerseys.

How about this week? These guys need to play some footy and it's a sure bet that Counties Manukau, Wellington and Canterbury could accommodate them somewhere on the roster.

The All Blacks have been released from their international obligations and put on a mix of ITM Cup work, individual conditioning programmes and a training camp where they will be put through their paces by fitness supervisor Nic Gill.

They all need to stay in top shape as the August 30 deadline approaches when the All Black selectors will reveal the 31 players they will take to England to try to collect the Webb Ellis Cup again.

The All Blacks used 45 players to get them through their past five tests against Samoa, Argentina, the Springboks and Wallabies and a number were released a while back for ITM Cup action.

Waikato had Brad Weber, Auckland got Ofa Tu'ungafasi and George Moala, Canterbury used Matt Todd, Wellington paraded Cory Jane and Taranaki picked Charlie Ngatai and James Broadhurst. Now the All Blacks have announced they will be joined by others so 17 members of the wider squad are available for one or two rounds of ITM Cup action.

They are among several All Blacks who could do with playing some footy, getting their mitts on the ball and feeling the rhythms of rugby once more instead of going to the gym, pumping iron, pounding the roads or going to another theory or practice session.

It won't be rugby of any exalted standard but there are enough useful players around the ITM Cup to challenge these All Black squad members and give them the sort of practice they haven't felt for some time.

Lima Sopoaga will benefit from a run with Southland against Northland on Saturday because it will be a month since his solitary Ellis Park test appearance against the Springboks.

How's he to stay in playing nick, what's he doing to replicate the pressure of match situations, including goal-kicking, which cannot be repeated in training?

His rugby diet since the Super 15 final has been 80 minutes at Ellis Park and a succession of All Blacks training and theory sessions.

Julian Savea was spelled from the All Blacks because of a lack of fitness and looked short of his best in two tests with the Wallabies. Wouldn't he benefit from several bursts with Wellington?

Rugby players are like any sportsmen who need to play to keep their timing. Star Irish golfer Rory McIlroy showed much of his skill when he finished in the top 20 at the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits but he admitted he was not as sharp after missing three weeks because of an ankle injury.

Practice could not make up for playing tournaments under pressure.

Other World Cup loose-forward contenders Victor Vito, Liam Messam and Sam Cane could all do with games for their provinces to continue their late run or retune their engines.

Same with prop Ben Franks whose diet has been two subs appearances in five tests, while Joe Moody, Codie Taylor and Hika Elliot need to get back into the grind of front-row play.