Mika's future is locked up

Brad Mika

Given that Lions locks Paul O'Connell and Danny Grewcock scare small children when they're smiling, the reluctance to blood a young second-rower in the forthcoming test series is understandable.

Since England won the World Cup with a squad that became known as Dad's Army, the value of experience has risen to unprecedented levels.

What the English made everyone realise is that test rugby is won by a combination of old heads and young legs. The All Blacks, for all their incredible talent, have become the Miss World of rugby - beautiful to watch but never taken quite as seriously as they would like.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry is aware the All Blacks have arguably been the most gifted side in world rugby since the World Cup in 1999, but have paid a price for not getting the balance right between ability and experience.

Which is why the current locking saga presents the All Black coaches with their toughest selection test yet.

If Norm Maxwell is unavailable, Chris Jack is your only shoo-in starter. That leaves Ali Williams, James Ryan, Ross Kennedy, Brad Mika, Reuben Thorne and Jono Gibbes competing for a starting spot and a place on the bench.

Mika might even have the edge, although Williams will almost certainly feature in some capacity.

Thorne and Gibbes are worryingly short for the berth and have played the bulk of their rugby at blindside. In their favour they have proven they won't do anything daft when put under pressure. They represent experience.

Ryan and Kennedy have huge promise, the right physique and required athleticism. These two represent ability.

Mika, who was an All Black in 2002 and has been around for a few years now, represents both ability and experience. He's been in storming form for the Blues, carrying the ball to great effect and tackling like a back-row forward.

At 1.98m and 120kg, he offers the power and drive that both Thorne and Gibbes would love to possess. His critics suggest he's tougher to get airborne than your average ostrich but former All Black selector Peter Thorburn has analysed Mika's lineout work and believes he could hold his own as a number two jumper.

"I think Mika could do the job. He's got a bit of experience now and is performing well enough in the lineout. He's quite smart the way he plays and is pretty athletic. He pushes in the scrums and carries the ball well. He's more experienced than either Ryan or Kennedy and a genuine lock," said Thorburn.

Selecting Mika could be the perfect way to achieve balance.

All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith says striking that balance is a core objective with every All Black team. If the balance is right it allows the team to win while building for the future.

"Because we have young guys who are highly talented, our job as coaches is to accelerate their learning and help them become expert earlier," said Smith. "Experience is crucial as long as there is hunger. If you have those things, the experienced player has an advantage. And, of course, decision making improves with experience.

"There are pressures on the All Blacks but the only opportunity you get to bring youngsters on as All Blacks is in test matches because we don't have touring games."

But while All Black coaches deliberate, they might want to remember there is precedent to suggest that erring on the side of ability rather than experience can pay dividends.

Think back to 1981 when a relatively unknown 21-year-old, Gary Whetton, played alongside Andy Haden against the Springboks. He didn't even have his Auckland blazer, yet he was ready for test football.

Whetton, who went on to win 58 caps and captain the side, still believes fortune favours the brave.

"I look back at my first couple of years and wonder how I got through them," he said. "But I suppose what you don't know, you don't know. There is only one way to get experience. It's a tough challenge, not so much physically but mentally. If you have experienced players around you they help you to control your psyche.

"Personally, I'd go with Jack and Williams and have the next best lock as cover.

"There are guys around and why not bring a young guy through? There is plenty of rugby to be played after the Lions tour."


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