Muliaina likely centre of attention

Mils Muliaina

The All Blacks reluctance to trial Mils Muliaina at centre will come under greater pressure after leading contender Conrad Smith broke his leg.

If the national selectors were relaxed about those queuing up to replace retired All Black captain Tana Umaga, they would have lost that cosiness when Smith was seriously injured on Saturday.

He was due to have surgery yesterday to repair broken bones in his right leg, with forecasts he would be out of rugby for four to six months.

On the evidence of the past two All Blacks seasons, another Hurricane, Ma'a Nonu, must be the initial favourite to shift into the No 13 jersey for the opening international against Ireland in early June. On attack, Nonu is a wrecking ball, though there remain doubts about his concentration on defence and his game savvy - misgivings which will give others hope of promotion.

Coach Graham Henry and his panel have analysed Smith, Nonu and Casey Laulala as alternative test centres to Umaga since they took over in 2004. Others like Ben Atiga and Anthony Tuitavake have some leeway to make up, Rico Gear is largely untested while Luke McAlister, Sam Tuitupou and Aaron Mauger seem better second five-eighths choices.

The All Blacks selectors have resisted the chance to experiment with Muliaina at centre in the bloated squads on either of the recent tours.

However, they concede Muliaina can make the switch, one they have encouraged several times in the NPC and Super 12 series.

It will be fascinating to see whether Smith's injury will provoke a positional switch for Muliaina at the Chiefs.

He shifted to that franchise this season to play fullback, although he was also aware he could be called on to play centre.

With one-test All Black fullback Soseni Anesi in the squad and centre Niva Ta'auso injured, it would not surprise if Muliaina was asked to play centre instead of fill-in Mark Ranby.

The All Black selectors may have felt Muliaina was too valuable in tests to shift from fullback.

However, Smith's absence, the return of Leon MacDonald and the clear wish to elevate Isaia Toeava to fullback may change the panel's thoughts.