Mana of Tana retained for Tri-Nations

All Black Captain Tana Umaga crosses the line to score despite the efforts of Lion Ryan Jones during the third test. Picture / Kenny Rodger

The All Black selectors wondered about resting Tana Umaga from the two offshore Tri-Nations tests as part of their strategy to nourish the captain through to the next World Cup.

Before they could broach the topic with Umaga they had the answer. Some team-mates had checked the captain's thoughts and they were about wearing black in every test. The mana of Tana would travel to South Africa and Australia.

The All Blacks man of the series against the Lions, the leader whose play coach Graham Henry described yesterday as "astronomical" did not want a mid-season leave pass.

Umaga was named yesterday to lead a 26-strong group to start the Tri-Nations in Cape Town on August 6, a squad which included a first selection for young prop John Afoa, the return of Piri Weepu and Joe Rokocoko.

Weepu has won the tight race with Steve Devine, Jimmy Cowan and Kevin Senio to replace the departing Justin Marshall.

Those not required, who had been in or around the All Black squad during the Lions series, were Doug Howlett, Mose Tuiali'i, Ma'a Nonu, Jono Gibbes, Anton Oliver, Campbell Johnstone, Nick Evans and Soseni Anesi.

Oliver and Gibbes were not considered because of their ongoing injury troubles while others were victims of form or the rotation policy.

There was a rest for the experienced Howlett because there was only room for three wings and Rokocoko was in form and in need of further tuition.

Pruning the squad to 26 was very difficult, said Henry, but it was a balance of getting the best for the tests and grooming others to add to the depth of All Blacks talent. It has been an ongoing theme from the national panel since they were appointed late last year to go through to the 2007 World Cup in France.

"We want to develop 30 players who can play international rugby," said Henry. "The All Blacks have not won the rugby World Cup for 20 years and I think one of the reasons we have not won is we have finished up playing players out of position in quarter-finals and semifinals."

Had Henry wanted, he could have used the examples of Christian Cullen and Leon MacDonald both playing centre for the All Blacks in losing World Cup semifinals in 1999 and 2003.

Hence the interest in keeping Umaga fresh and excited. His contract runs through to the next World Cup, the imponderables are his fitness and affection for top-level rugby. Another All Black great, Frank Bunce, was 35 years and 305 days when he played his last test at centre while Umaga will be a tender 34 1/2 when the next World Cup starts.

The Lions series had been a huge inspiration for him.

"It was a huge motivation and a great concept. That is what lifted me to play as well as I did," Umaga said.

After enduring a week of Lions' barbs for his part in the incident which left rival skipper Brain O'Driscoll with a dislocated shoulder in the opening test, Umaga scored a try in Wellington then two at Eden Park on Saturday. His angled running was too much for the Lions' defenders, his tackling produced repeated nerves in the visitors' backline. He was sinbinned for a professional foul when he pinned Donncha O'Callaghan in a tackle on the All Black goal-line but still inspired his troops from the sideline.

Umaga played the first of his 67 internationals in 1997 and has captained the All Blacks 14 times for two defeats since he was appointed last season.

Henry said his captain was in great shape and his play had flourished because the overall team leadership had allowed Umaga to concentrate on his game.

"He used the series to display his talents," backline coach Wayne Smith added.

"We hope we can keep him fresh, motivated and going. He is a special character and others play for him.

"If he is not the best centre in the world he is close to it."

Henry believed the threat from the All Blacks annual Tri-Nations foes would be a significant jump from the opposition delivered by the Lions.

It was no longer possible for teams to squeeze foes with an enormous pack and kicking halves, the game had moved past that approach which suited England in their successful 2003 World Cup campaign.

The All Blacks had fallen over in the Tri-Nations last season and some of the squad rotation for this series was designed to keep players more on edge. Some younger players like Johnstone, Tuiali'i and Nonu had been left behind because they needed to get more matchplay.

Tri-Nations squad

Backs: Mils Muliaina (Auckland), Leon MacDonald (Canterbury), Rico Gear (Nelson Bays), Joe Rokocoko (Auckland), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Waikato), Conrad Smith (Wellington), Tana Umaga (Wellington, captain), Aaron Mauger (Canterbury), Luke McAlister (Auckland), Daniel Carter (Canterbury), Byron Kelleher (Waikato), Piri Weepu (Wellington).

Forwards: Sione Lauaki (Waikato), Rodney So'oialo (Wellington), Richie McCaw (Canterbury), Marty Holah (Waikato), Jerry Collins (Wellington), Ali Williams (Auckland), Chris Jack (Canterbury), James Ryan (Otago), Carl Hayman (Otago), John Afoa (Auckland), Greg Somerville (Canterbury), Tony Woodcock (Auckland), Keven Mealamu (Auckland), Derren Witcombe (Auckland).