Wynne Gray: Unwanted Stanley a casualty of system

Benson Stanley. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Midfielder Benson Stanley's inactivity for the All Blacks has impacted on his rugby season.

Stanley was picked after the Super 14 in the original 26-man national squad but has not played any test rugby for nearly three months, only a solitary ITM Cup game and half a trial match in that time.

He missed Auckland's game against Taranaki because the match fell on a Sunday and was hauled off to Sydney to help the squad prepare for the final Tri-Nations test.

On his 26th birthday, Stanley was in the quartet with Joe Rokocoko, Ben Franks and Sam Whitelock, who sat in the stands watching the match unfold.

Stanley is a casualty of the system and looked so rusty at centre for Auckland against Canterbury on August 28 that he was eventually shunted out to the wing.

Coach Graham Henry has defended his grab-all selection plans, saying it was better for the entire squad to concentrate on the test and travel together, rather than let some fringe selections get some provincial practice.

The selectors felt the value of All Black selection was reduced if they played in the ITM Cup.

Last season, Stanley captained Auckland but his All Black-induced lack of games since June has impacted on his readiness for this season's ITM Cup. He will probably be used from the bench against Manawatu in Palmerston North on Friday but will need an extraordinary chain of events to retain his place for the All Blacks' end-of-year tour.

He is a casualty of the system, picked for the initial All Black squad when players were injured and now facing exclusion because of his lack of match play.

Stanley was chosen as the solitary specialist second five-eighths in the initial squad and was picked to start the test against Ireland and two against Wales. He was subbed after 55 minutes in the second test against Wales and has not been used by the All Blacks since.

A repaired Nonu started all six Tri-Nations internationals and when he was subbed in a couple, Daniel Carter shifted out a place as Aaron Cruden got some valuable experience.

The next All Black squad will be chosen in a month and Stanley will be in a midfield selection shootout with Ma'a Nonu, Richard Kahui, Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, Stephen Donald and Luke McAlister, while Isaia Toeava is coming out of the casualty ward soon.

Stanley's odds on making that tour will be lengthy - he will need a repeat rash of injuries and an accompanying surge in his form to be considered.

Other Auckland All Blacks John Afoa and Rokocoko are not available this weekend, though Afoa may choose to play in the side's Ranfurly Shield challenge against Southland in the following round.

Blindside flanker Jerome Kaino is apparently off limits to Auckland for the rest of the ITM Cup and similarly hooker Keven Mealamu, who is recovering from his injured calf.