Open and shut case for Te Pou

Marty Holah and Daniel Braid could both find themselves in the Maori backrow to play the Lions.

Maori coach Matt Te Pou is giving serious thought to fielding the two open-sides, operating them in an old-fashioned left and right system similar to the one used by the Wallabies when they play both George Smith and Phil Waugh.

Such a move would be keenly observed by the All Black selectors who have often said they retain an open mind to trying a similar policy with both Holah and Richie McCaw.

Te Pou believes Braid and Holah would offer the Maori a diverse range of skills and serious firepower in ball fetching and competing at the breakdown.

"I think they both have very different skills," says Te Pou, "and for sure, we are thinking about using them both. I was with the Chiefs recently and spoke to Marty about playing and he is very keen."

The opportunity to play for the Maori will provide Holah with a golden opportunity to prove to the All Black selectors he remains the best back-up for McCaw.

Holah covered admirably for McCaw last season when the Cantabrian was sidelined with concussion. But his form this season hasn't quite reached the levels he would have liked.

The Chiefs openside has been on the Maori database for four years but has not made an appearance yet due to All Black commitments.

But Te Pou, who for the first time will have priority access to Maori All Blacks, has an abundance of backrow riches from which to select. Wayne Ormond, Jono Gibbes, Thomas Waldrom and Scott Waldrom are all eligible.

He is due to meet the All Black selectors on Tuesday to update them on the 24-man squad he would like to select for the Maori games against Fiji in Suva on June 3 and the Lions at Waikato Stadium on June 11.

The Maori squad will be named on May 23, the same day the All Black trial teams will be announced. With the Maori playing Fiji on the same day as the trial in Napier, it means the Probables versus Possibles game will be missing a number of genuine All Black contenders such as Carl Hayman, Leon MacDonald, Rico Gear, Piri Weepu, Gibbes and Holah.

Te Pou says he has had no instruction from All Black coach Graham Henry about how the Maori should play or who they should select. "We have been left alone to get on with things, which is exactly how it should be," says Te Pou.


- HERALD ON SUNDAY