NPC shutout looms for Muliaina

Mils Muliaina

All Black fullback Mils Muliaina may have to play for Auckland's development squad to nail his selection for the end-of-year Grand Slam expedition.

Muliaina faces an NPC selection shutout because of the rest guidelines for test players, Auckland's surplus back-four stocks, and his transfer next season to Waikato.

The All Black panel recommended Muliaina return to NPC duty in round nine, in a game which may double as a Ranfurly Shield challenge against Canterbury.

Auckland coach Pat Lam was diplomatic yesterday about possible selection dramas, preferring to dwell on his side's next match against Taranaki in New Plymouth.

"We do not have to make any decisions until later in the season," he said. "We have to look at who is available and who is playing well at that stage."

Muliaina was an Auckland contracted player until the end of the NPC and would be offered the same opportunities as others in the squad.

But Auckland's unblemished NPC record and the logjam of back-four players with Brent Ward, Isa Nacewa, Tony Koonwaiyou, Joe Rokocoko, Doug Howlett, Ben Atiga and Gavin Williams, will make Muliaina's return demanding.

Alternative Auckland fullback Ward was placed on All Black standby duty for the final test against the Wallabies and has a 76 per cent goalkicking success rate in the NPC.

Lam would not be drawn on whether Auckland would prefer to pick players on long-term contracts. He did mention that test players such as Mose Tuiali'i and Sione Lauaki, who had been injured or were due to transfer last year, returned to play for Auckland's B side.

Lam and Muliaina met yesterday to discuss some of the issues, with the 25-year-old fullback anxious to pitch up for his province. He will join an Auckland training camp next week.

Muliaina appeared in all eight All Black tests this year, with six starts at fullback, one on the wing and an appearance from the bench.

"The All Black selectors said to me I should come back [to the NPC] about round nine, but I want to get back earlier," he said.

"I want to get some games in so I can push for the tour. I am ready now. I have had two weeks off, the niggles are fine and I feel mentally refreshed.

"I don't mind playing for the Bs, I am not too good for them. If there are no NPC games, I would love to play for any other side."

Muliaina said although he was transferring to Waikato next season, he wanted to do as much as he could to try to achieve another NPC title with Auckland.

He conceded his impending departure might count against him in a tight selection choice. However, he thought his experience with Auckland and 33 tests with the All Blacks would balance any issues.

Other All Blacks in the Auckland squad - Howlett, Rokocoko, Ali Williams, Keven Mealamu - will not be considered this weekend.

"After that we will take it game by game," Lam said, "that is all I can do, seeing who is injured, who is ready, how we are playing."