Richard Loe: No butts about it, selectors caught short

Andrew Hore. Photo / Getty Images

I'd hate to say I told you so but ... I told you so. Back when the All Black touring party was named, I criticised the selection of those - like Andrew Hore - who were chosen but who were not fit.

Now that Keven Mealamu's headbutt has removed him from the tour for two weeks, that particular chook has come home to roost big time.

I know that the Scotland test played this morning was the game that they were aiming at for Hore's comeback match anyway - and maybe he did fine. He is a gritty, hard-nosed character who is capable of doing well, even on limited preparation.

But that doesn't mean the Graham Henry's selection policy was right. It's a lot to ask of any player to make a comeback against Scotland who, I'd say, are not the easybeats that some people seem to think. It's a hard ask even for 80 minutes at ITM Cup level.

I'd also have to ask: Why did Hika Elliot not get a trot off the bench in the first two tests?

If you know that Hore is not up to much early on in the tour, then surely his back-up has to be given a run just in case. I can understand that Henry and co wanted to win the first match (in Hong Kong) but can't understand why Elliot didn't get to run on as a substitute against England.

If he'd had 10 minutes, that would have stood him in good stead for Scotland. Come to think of it, if they'd given him half an hour, they could have saved Mealamu's skin.

The headbutt happened after 51 minutes, when the All Blacks were up 20-6. If they'd given Elliot some game time, they could still have two fit hookers instead of one and a half - although that's being wise after the event, I know.

However, they are still getting their selection policy wrong. Neemia Tialata is lucky to have the call-up. They want him because he can play both sides - but why do we need that when we have four props? John Afoa can play both sides although he could be needed at hooker if Hika and Hore get broken.

Surely we are better off to take someone like Jamie Mackintosh or even gnarly old Nathan White from Waikato who are more capable of playing the modern, mobile game than Tialata is?

The other point I'd make is to all those good folk who say that a headbutt is against Keven Mealamu's nature. Sorry, but he's a front rower, isn't he? These things happen occasionally when you're at the spot where two forces collide.

I have said for years that it is a shame rucking has gone because, apart from clearing the ball quickly, it allows little differences to be settled and all that frustrated energy to be released legally. I'm not talking stomping or anything, just ... multi-tasking by taking corrective action.

Lewis Moody is a niggler and provoker. So is Steve Thompson, the England hooker - someone said he causes a fuss so he can have a rest - and so is Dylan Hartley, the replacement hooker; the man who elbow-jolted Richie McCaw.

To be honest, I don't know that either man should have been cited. They were glancing blows and no damage was done. But it's a physical game and one of the problems with all the political correctness is that niggling and provoking is allowed to occur without any punishment. Anyone who reacts is dealt with sternly.

I have to salute Brad Thorn in that regard. He obviously wanted to knock Hartley's block off but restrained himself to a shoulder charge as he knew he'd have been red-carded. He still made his point - and Hartley still left the surface of Planet Earth for a while.

All internationals know you can't take the law into your own hands these days and that's also why rucking was so good. John Kirwan always used to say he hated going into rucks because they hurt. It used to be a good sound, hearing one of the opposition squeal in a ruck.

That's all gone now; players know they can't execute their own justice; but I do wish the lawmakers and referees would take provocation into account and cite some of those who stir the trouble up.

You could tell the stirrers in the old days, like Brian Moore, another provocative England hooker. You could tell by his smile. Barely a front tooth left, showing how many times he'd pissed someone off in his career.