Everything on the line for All Blacks tonight

Tana Umaga says the unfancied Wallabies make dangerous opponents. Picture / Dean Purcell

At the start of the Tri-Nations series, there was a gentle inquiry to Tana Umaga about whether he would like to bypass one of the tests.

The idea received as much traction as Don Brash at a Labour Party conference.

Umaga is not into breaks from his chosen sport, not unless it means he is excused training. He lives to play rugby, not watch his colleagues go round.

The national captain has played 70 tests, made the transition from wing to centre, from shy squad member to leader. He is the measure for the All Blacks' production.

There will be a merry meeting of philosophies on the end-of-year tour when Umaga is advised he will not be required for one of the four Grand Slam tests.

Coach Graham Henry has already signalled his intention to vary the squad's workload. No one will play in all four internationals.

It was a policy Henry took to Europe last year, one Umaga had to wear but did not like when he was overlooked for the test against Wales.

But, for the moment, serenity is Umaga's companion as he contemplates his 18th test as captain tonight, the Tri-Nations decider at Eden Park, a match in which the All Blacks can clinch their sixth title.

It is hard not to contrast the fortunes of Umaga and George Gregan, the opposing All Black and Wallaby captains.

Both are 32 and keen to play in the 2007 World Cup, but while results continue as they are only one looks likely to make it.

If the drum-beats out of Australia have some substance, Gregan will not get any dispensation for the Wallabies' end-of-year tour. He won't even get to passport control.

Umaga looks unperturbed in his public appearances, secure in his own position and his team's performances. He has grown into the leadership role, he has endured some tough times, such as overseas Tri-Nations defeats and accusations about his tackle on Lions captain Brian O'Driscoll.

The All Blacks are playing some strong rugby and Umaga remains a huge part of that development.

Meanwhile, Gregan looks more preoccupied than normal. The halfback is greatly admired by his team-mates but he has always presented a distant manner in public.

This season he has appeared even more detached while conjecture levels about his future have risen with each loss and every time coach Eddie Jones substitutes his captain.

Gregan may be the victim of his team's decline or his own waning powers. His position is under scrutiny, if not threat, after four straight losses as the Australian Rugby Union puts more pressure on Jones to deliver his strategies for the next World Cup.

If Umaga faced similar circumstances, his repeated selection would come under enormous heat.

Instead he can point to his player-of-the-series impact during the Lions visit, retention of the Bledisloe Cup and a win last week against the Boks.

Umaga accepts international rugby is getting more intense and he is finding it more of a physical struggle. He marvels at Gregan's endurance and self-discipline.

He likes the range of new players picked in his own squad and those like Piri Weepu, Luke McAlister, Leon MacDonald and Sione Lauaki who, through injury, have been tried as the selectors search for depth.

Umaga likes to think his squad have some special abilities but cautions listeners to remember that those judgments are only really made once every four years. He quickly returns to thoughts about tonight.

"It is all on the line for us, all your good work can come down to this one game, really," he said.

"If we don't get it, we don't get one of the goals we set ourselves, to gain the two trophies that come up - the Bledisloe and the Tri-Nations.

"I would be very disappointed if it didn't come to that, it is probably one of our most important tests."

Umaga talks enthusiastically about the new haka and how the squad have embraced it. It was different, it meant a great deal to the All Blacks, but it was only one part of what the team were about, he said.

"Let's not forget that we had a good performance in Dunedin and we need another good performance [tonight]," he said.

The All Black captain said he was a great fan of Gregan, a good friend and a competitor who played each test to the end, someone who might be the greatest Wallaby.

Umaga sympathised with the Australian skipper's current plight.

"It is always hard when your team is not going so well; again it always goes to the two people in charge, the coach and the captain.

"A lot of people forget the good things you have done and try and narrow it down to what you have done in the last two weeks.

"He has played 114 tests [after tonight], I think it is hard to judge a person on the last two weeks of his career or what they say.

"He is an integral part of their side, the way he runs out of the rucks and scrums and set phases.

"He commits the inside defenders where there is a lot of pressure and he can create holes anywhere and he is so quick to the ball."

Gregan would be keen to answer his detractors and the Wallabies would rally round their skipper, Umaga said. An unfancied Wallaby side were dangerous opponents and several new players, such as Drew Mitchell, Mat Rogers and Mark Chisholm, were less familiar.