MacDonald favoured to play first five

The intriguing All Black comeback for fullback Leon MacDonald may take another twist as the selectors look for a first five-eighths for the final test in the Lions series.

Star Daniel Carter injured his shoulder and Aaron Mauger tweaked a hamstring at Wellington on Saturday, injuries which have forced a rethink for the Eden Park finale.

MacDonald has been used as a fullback who covers five-eighths in the squad because of his useful kicking game and strong defence. His experience, familiarity with the game plan and involvement in both tests may give him the edge over other specialists.

They include Nick Evans, Andrew Mehrtens, Stephen Donald or Tasesa Lavea.

Evans and Donald played for the Junior All Blacks on their recent tour, Lavea turns out for Auckland tomorrow against the Lions while a return for Mehrtens paired alongside Justin Marshall would be a fairytale finish for the UK-bound duo.

The indications yesterday were that MacDonald or the Junior All Blacks had the inside track. If the multi-skilled MacDonald is chosen as five-eighths, it will continue his remarkable return after spending last year in Japan recovering from a series of injuries which affected his test career.

There was no concern about Carter and Mauger recovering for the Tri-Nations in a month.

Prop Carl Hayman looks an unlikely starter again this week though as his right foot and calf still badly swollen after he suffered an infected toe.

Flanker Richie McCaw had an ugly gash in his forehead stitched while a number of others in the squad would also have to be checked today after the rugged series-clinching victory in Wellington.

All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen was coy yesterday about identifying the five-eighths replacement. He saw no reason to give the Lions any start in their planning for the final test.

Hansen wouldn't discount a suggestion that Mehrtens would play one last test before leaving for English club Harlequins.

"He's still in the mix," Hansen said, before ruling out Carlos Spencer who is already in England preparing with his new club, Northampton.

Otago five-eighths Evans played the first of the Junior All Blacks' games against Australia A while the less-experienced Donald of Waikato played the second.

Options at second five-eighths would be to introduce Ma'a Nonu or to bring Tana Umaga in a space and unleash Nonu, Mils Muliaina again or Conrad Smith at centre.

Nonu was involved in an unusual substitution at Wellington when he ran on to replace Mauger but was recalled before play restarted after a "communication breakdown".

MacDonald moved into fullback with Muliaina shifting to centre and Umaga to second five-eighths.

Hansen said the test had been played with an enormous amount of passion and emotion but that had only helped the Lions for a while before the All Blacks skill gave them the result.

Eden Park on Saturday would be just as rugged. It was the final opportunity for the Lions to redress the tour, to salvage some honour.