Hamilton's chance at last

Scott Hamilton looked at his competition for an All Blacks jersey and wondered if his chance would come.

The Crusaders winger can stop wondering after winning a call-up to the 24-man squad to contest two home tests against Ireland next month.

Hamilton is one of three uncapped players in the squad, with Southland prop Clarke Dermody and North Harbour lock Greg Rawlinson, who moved to Auckland from South Africa four years ago and recently became eligible to represent New Zealand.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry praised Dermody as a crucial part of a Highlanders front row, the strongest in the Super 14, and Blues lock Rawlinson as a non-stop workhorse.

A word to describe Hamilton would be improver, as his stock rose with every campaign. But the 26-year-old accepted it would be a struggle to earn an international call-up, as four world-class wingers patrolled the flanks in superb style last year.

The four are Blues wingers Doug Howlett and Joe Rokocoko, who are alongside Hamilton in the squad to face Ireland, Chiefs flyer Sitiveni Sivivatu and Crusaders teammate Rico Gear, who will start against Argentina later next month.

"Obviously there's some very talented wingers there," Hamilton said yesterday.

"I knew I was there or thereabouts and I thought that, hopefully, if there was one more place, I'd like to take it."

Hamilton has had plenty of time at fullback for Canterbury but has not yet been told whether he will be used in the All Blacks' custodian role.

He got an inkling he was in the international frame when All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith paid him a mid-season visit.

"He told me what he was happy with and what things to work on."

Hamilton believes that playing for the Super 14 champions had a huge role to play in his promotion.

"Being part of the Crusaders has helped me dramatically in getting me to where I am today. If I wasn't playing for the Crusaders, who knows where I'd be."

- NZPA