Wynne Gray: Forward the only way for So'oialo

Wynne Gray

It is a reflection of the expanding global rugby schedules that Rodney So'oialo has played the same amount of All Black tests as the legendary Colin Meads.

Pinetree slogged his way through 15 seasons to achieve his mark, one which stood until Gary Whetton, JK then Fitzy started the list of those who began overhauling the record at a much quicker pace in the 90s.

So'oialo slipped on his first All Black jersey in late 2002 in the final test of that short tour against Wales. He and a number of infrequent All Blacks made that trip as 21 senior players were left at home to rest and recuperate for the next World Cup season.

Somehow So'oialo hung on. He cast aside his L-plates at the start of 2003 when he was picked against England, but defeat on a torrid night in Wellington meant test rejection for him, Ma'a Nonu and Caleb Ralph.

Their test careers were in jeopardy, although the Wellington duo managed to make the World Cup cut where once again they were on selection rations.

When Graham Henry was elevated to coach in 2004, a downgrade for So'oialo looked inevitable.

He was fast, he was fearless but the former Wellington Secondary Schools fullback did not seem to fit the more traditional mould of a New Zealand No 8. His handling could be wayward, his discipline was variable, his speed often left him isolated and he found trouble conforming to team patterns.

Xavier Rush, Mose Tuiali'i, Craig Newby and Jerry Collins nosed in front until So'oialo edged on to another end-of-year All Black trip.

Since 2005, he has been a regular All Black, versatile enough to occupy both the blind and openside flanker roles and to captain the All Blacks in four tests.

While Mils Muliaina considers his future allegiance, So'oialo signed on with New Zealand past the next World Cup. He joins Richie McCaw, Keven Mealamu, Daniel Carter, Andrew Hore and Nonu as others signed on past that tournament.

So'oialo's play may not appeal to everyone. He does not bounce rivals like Sione Lauaki or seem to have the vision of Liam Messam. Sometimes you want to yell at him to get stuck in at the breakdown rather than flapping his arms or instructing the referee.

But he has a huge engine, a massive ticker and a workrate which is the envy of most loose forwards. He scarcely misses a match through injury, he is a workaholic and until others such as Jerome Kaino, Lauaki and Messam match that output, So'oialo will be tough to run down for the All Blacks.