Inga Tuigamala: A clearer selection picture emerges

Mils Muliaina. Photo / Getty Images

Opinion

Some good can come out of the All Blacks' loss to Australia, but doubting the worth of Mils Muliaina isn't one of them.

There are a few selections issues that were sorted for me. As hard as it is for me as a former player to say, I feel that both Joe Rokocoko and Isaia Toeava are not coming up to the mark and the time has come for the All Black coaches to put their eggs in different baskets.

In the case of Rokocoko, his problems are not for the lack of effort, but a spark has gone out of his game.

As for Toeava, how many chances can one guy get? Unless the selectors can see something absolutely exceptional that we cannot, the time has come to look elsewhere in preparation for the World Cup.

Toeava is still fairly young, and can come back again, but I feel that we are getting near the sharp end of World Cup preparations and there just isn't enough evidence to suggest he will make the grade in time.

I have to reiterate that the omission of the big Canterbury centre Robbie Fruean baffles me. He not only has the speed and skill but also is an absolute giant who smashes people out of the way. I believe he could actually be the star factor that takes our World Cup campaign to the next level.

As for Stephen Donald, he should be axed from the All Black plans.

I say this with no disrespect to a footballer that I greatly admire, but there are some players who just cannot make the step up to the cut-throat world of test rugby. Donald is in this category.

Unfortunately, I can't suggest a dead-set replacement as back up to Daniel Carter, because this is a hole in the All Black plans. They need to pick their man and get on with it, and in my opinion that man isn't Donald.

As for Muliaina though, this is the time to stick with the tried and true, unless something absolutely brilliant emerges from left field.

Muliaina has been an outstanding All Black and he is not over the hill yet.

You can't chop and change too much at this point in time, and Muliaina is the glue in the All Black backline. For my money he stays, even though others have suggested his time might have come after one of his lesser games in Hong Kong.

The loss to Australia could turn out to be a good thing in firing up the All Blacks for the big year ahead.

As for England, though, we just cannot afford to lose in their backyard. A defeat at Twickenham would get the English chests puffed right out and that confidence boost would make them a lot tougher at the World Cup.

A second consecutive loss would not be good. And forget the World Cup - we hate losing to England anyway.

Finally, go the Kiwis at Eden Park tomorrow night. A great weekend of sport is in store.

* Inga Tuigamala played 19 tests for the All Blacks.