Wynne Gray: Tana's noble decision

He arrived as an uncertain young man, thrust into the All Black spotlight because of his blazing form and the absence through illness of Jonah Lomu.

Nine seasons on, Tana Umaga will play his 74th and final test tomorrow as the undisputed bulwark of the All Black backline and someone leaving the side on his terms.

The 32-year-old will become the first All Black captain, since David Kirk after the 1987 World Cup success, to leave the job voluntarily.

Umaga's switch to centre has been such a success he must be rated with Bruce Robertson, Frank Bunce and Joe Stanley of recent eras and Bert Cooke of the Invincibles in the top All Black bracket.

But after a year of triumph against the Lions, Tri-Nations rivals and with the Grand Slam sure to be sealed against Scotland tomorrow, the All Blacks will need a new captain and centre.

Umaga figured he could have made it to the 2007 World Cup in France but the further he considered the intervening seasons, the less he was inclined to persevere.

He understood the rationale behind the All Black panel's decision to rotate their selections but felt he was best when he played continuous rugby. However Umaga also felt fatigued when he contemplated a schedule of two Super 14 seasons, two NPC campaigns and about 20 tests before the next World Cup.

Proposals about "managing" his appearances were flattering but did not fit Umaga's psyche or his image of the All Blacks. He was a rugby player, not someone who wanted to pick and choose his matches.

Umaga became the first Pacific Islander to captain the All Blacks when coach Graham Henry came calling last season. It was a marvellous return to top-level rugby for Umaga after he injured his knee and missed all but the opening game at the 2003 World Cup.

Since 2000, Umaga has played in the All Black centres after beginning his test career three years earlier against Fiji on the wing.

It was Umaga who suggested the change because he could not match the pace of the top speedsters and in the midfield he could get his hands on the ball more.

The conversion has been a success.

Umaga's decision to leave the international arena now is a noble and practical judgment. It gives the All Black selectors enough time to explore a range of choices at centre and their succession plan for the captain.

On several occasions, Richie McCaw has led the side and he must be favoured to take over. He does not turn 25 until the last day of this year though there are several doubts about his accession.

If McCaw stays healthy he is the future. But he has succumbed to three separate head injuries in the last few seasons, damage which will carry some concern. Captaining a side from openside flanker may also bring McCaw into more conflict with referees than is beneficial for the All Blacks.

An alternative would be Anton Oliver whose international career was resuscitated by the current All Black panel. He was captain in 2001 though there were doubts about his lineout throwing before he was injured and slipped out of the squad.

Oliver was picked again late last year but further elevation to captain would affect Keven Mealamu who has been such a sparkling hooker.

The choice of centre should be between the Wellington duo of Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu with Mils Muliaina or Casey Laulala on the next row of options though they have been largely bypassed as starting preferences.

Nonu is the most explosive but more prone to error while Smith brings many subtle touches to a quality allround game. He is not ultra quick or powerful but has been improving those qualities.

If Smith becomes the frontline centre that decision may not assist Aaron Mauger as there is a prevailing attitude among the selectors that they are not robust enough as a midfield combination.

One player not in the expanded Grand Slam tour squad may be the answer.

Luke McAlister has filled in for Daniel Carter at first five-eighths this season but he is very proficient further out, is powerfully built and would be another ballplayer near the ruck.

McAlister, Greg Somerville, Jerome Kaino, Troy Flavell, Tom Willis and Jono Gibbes are All Blacks who have missed this tour but will be pushing for re-inclusion next season.

There will be serious opportunities with the All Blacks due to play 14 tests including hosting Ireland and the Pacific Islanders and visiting Argentina, France, England and Wales around their expanded Tri-Nations obligations.