Rugby: Fortunes start with end of year tour

Waikato's Liam Messam possesses skills that could earn him a recall to the national side. Photo / Getty Images

When the Tri Nations ends later in September, the All Black focus will drift from the present and take a more serious look at what lies down the track.

The end of year tour that will include five tests and a game against the Barbarians will be the beginning of a voyage that will end in October 2011 at the World Cup.

The All Black net will be cast a little wider for the 2009 tour. The selectors need to start looking at developing more options across the team. As Graham Henry revealed a few weeks ago, he's keen to identify a wider training group ahead of the World Cup.

In practice that means, probably, about 50 players will be tagged as possible All Blacks to be involved at the World Cup. They will be given tailored development programmes and their progress monitored.

The end of year tour will be an opportunity for the coaching panel to have most of that identified wider group of players in their charge for an extended period.

It is expected that 35 players will be selected for the trip, which provides room for a few younger, developing players to travel without necessarily being given much game time.

This panel believes individuals can make giant strides while on tour. It is the only point in the season where players are in camp for an unbroken stretch. It is where the coaches really get to work on players; get to know their strengths and weaknesses; and have time to work on all areas of their game.

The intelligence gathered on end of year tours is vital - it is often where players emerge and prove their worth. Tony Woodcock and Rodney So'oialo both became regular All Blacks on the 2004 tour to France, Italy and Wales.

In 2005 Nick Evans, not originally selected, established himself as the back-up first five to Dan Carter and Jason Eaton came through strongly as a locking candidate.

For the forwards, there is six weeks of everyday contact with scrum guru Mike Cron. For the backs, skills coach Mick Byrne is likely to be on tour to hone the kicking and catching and running angles.

Then there is the opportunity for players to learn about the All Black culture. The expectations on and off the field, the way the team operates, the patterns on the field and the nuances that can be gained from working with senior professionals.

For Henry and his assistants, the end of year tour is where they really get to know their players. Find out what makes them tick, how they respond to the constant challenges, how they fill their time off the field.

It is, therefore, a hugely important squad in terms of selection. The coaches have to accurately assess what positions they need to target and get the right men.

Starting with the front-row, they will probably have to make a call between Wyatt Crockett and Jamie Mackintosh. Both are huge and have massive potential. With Owen Franks, Tony Woodcock and John Afoa forging ahead, there's likely to be room for only one more prop.

Aled de Malmanche is a hooker with whom the panel will want to persevere. He's a loaded gun - the sort of runner who will make himself known. His throwing is not too sharp but five weeks on tour should go a long way towards fixing that.

With Keven Mealamu injured, there is a vacancy for a third hooker. Hika Elliot joined the squad in Ireland last year and has an abrasive game that is hard not to like. He's accurate, too, but he didn't break into the Chiefs this year. Dane Coles at Wellington is mobile and skilled.

There's a snarl-up at lock with Brad Thorn and Isaac Ross commanding the starting berths. Bryn Evans is clearly the type of player this panel believe they want at lock while Anthony Boric will likely force his way back into contention for the tour. Eaton might be left at home as his hybrid role as a loose-forward who can cover lock may be redundant.

Adam Thomson has to come back into the mix and the selectors will find it hard to resist taking Victor Vito away to find out more about him. Liam Messam can't possibly be excluded forever.

Henry said earlier this year that Messam has a special range of skills but is guilty of making too many costly mistakes. He is the most obvious coaching job in the country - a potentially world class loose forward if he's given help to ditch his flaws.

George Whitelock has played a test this year and is a player well known to the panel. The panel will be keen to take him to Europe to keep his development ticking along as he looked assured in his 20-minute appearance off the bench against Italy.

Aaron Cruden has already done enough to win a plane ticket. The selectors will be starting to view Cruden as the World Cup understudy to Dan Carter and will look to gently ease him gently into the squad over the next two years.

Colin Slade and Robbie Robinson are gifted utilities and there has to be a good chance one will be taken in a development capacity with a view to steering them towards fullback as potential deputies to Mils Muliaina.

A glut of wings will be nervously waiting to hear whether they make it. Rudi Wulf, Lelia Masaga and Hosea Gear will all be hoping to join Sitiveni Sivivatu, Cory Jane and possibly Joe Rokocoko.

Prop

Jamie Mackintosh

Southland
Weight: 130kg
Height: 1.95m
Age: 24
Caps: 1

Known as 'Whopper', Mackintosh is enormous. He was given a torrid time on debut by Scotland's Euan Murray and didn't kick on during this year's Super 14. Remains a player of interest as his bulk is supported with a professional attitude and a keen rugby brain. He's a natural leader and a strong campaign with the Stags will push him close to touring again.

Wyatt Crockett

Canterbury
Weight: 112kg
Height: 1.93m
Age: 26
Caps: 1

A similar height and body shape to Mackintosh, Crockett made his test breakthrough this year after consistent performances for the Crusaders. He's still viewed as a little raw technically and perhaps lacking the aggression to really destroy opponents. Needs to perform for Canterbury and make a compelling case to be included.

Hooker

Hika Elliot

Province: Hawke's Bay
Weight: 110kg
Height: 1.86m
Age: 23
Caps: 0

Has the mobility to be an effective ball carrier and the required accuracy at lineouts time. The question mark over Elliot is his attitude. Can he work hard as a fringe member knowing he might not play much? How hungry is he to wear the All Black jersey? Can he make a positive off-field contribution?

Dane Coles

Province: Wellington
Weight: 107kg
Height: 1.84m
Age: 22
Caps: 0

Coles shot to national attention this time last year with strong performances for Wellington. He is a dynamic hooker who pops up in the right places, in much the same way Sean Fitzpatrick did in the latter part of his long career. There is no doubt he can add something to the All Blacks in open play - but what about his set-piece work?

Loose Forwards

Adam Thomson

Province: Otago
Weight: 112kg
Height: 1.95m
Age: 27
Caps: 10

Is sure to feature in the match-day 22 when the All Blacks head on tour. Started the season as the preferred back-up openside and would have stayed there had he not broken his hand. Had an enormous Super 14 after being asked at the end of his rookie test season to show he had the attitude to succeed.

Liam Messam

Province: Waikato
Weight: 109kg
Height: 1.88m
Age: 25
Caps: 2

Was treated harshly by the selectors after delivering a mixed bag in Dunedin. Was told he needed to cut out the errors and that he was being dropped because he was a liability. But he has the most impressive range of skills and can also win games. It would be a travesty for the selectors to give up on him but he needs to play solidly for Waikato to earn a recall.

Victor Vito

Province: Wellington
Weight: 110kg
Height: 1.92m
Age: 22
Caps: 0

Vito is a player with such obvious appeal it is a no-brainer that he's going to feature in black some time soon. The end of year tour is the perfect place to bring him on board. Fast enough to play on the wing and with hands good enough to play centre, Vito has it all. He was starting to settle towards the end of the Hurricanes' campaign and show he was learning his craft.

George Whitelock

Canterbury
Weight: 106kg
Height: 1.90m
Age: 23
Caps: 1

Scored on his All Black debut this year and is a player who has long interested assistant coach Steve Hansen. Whitelock is most comfortable at openside but can play at No 8. Follows the ball well and is strong over it and has leadership qualities, too, currently being used in his role as captain of Canterbury. May be taken on tour to see if he can push Thomson along.

First Five

Aaron Cruden

Province: Manawatu
Weight: 85kg
Height: 1.79m
Age: 20
Caps: 0

The more he plays, the more he impresses. Has time on the ball, makes good decisions and kicks off both feet. Has, at just 20, captained the side and shown himself to be a strong leader. Looks the most complete and composed first five produced by New Zealand since Carter.

Wings

Rudi Wulf

North Harbour
Weight: 100kg
Height: 1.86m
Age: 25
Caps: 4

In an age of kick and rush rugby, Wulf is the sort of dependable auxiliary fullback needed on the wing. His positional work and technique are good and his bravery unquestioned. Is not an out-and-out finisher but works hard to get off his wing and make a contribution. Recovered from a broken neck, too, so lacks nothing in character.

Hosea Gear

Province: Wellington
Weight: 103kg
Height: 1.89m
Age: 25
Caps: 1

Came of age last year with a great provincial campaign. Is a brilliant runner against a broken defence and makes things happen when there is not much on. Not rock solid under the high ball and doesn't have a kicking game. Looked defensively exposed in his one test cap but deserves more time to see what he can do.

Lelia Masaga

Counties Manukau
Weight: 93kg
Height: 1.85m
Age: 22
Caps: 1

Behind Sivivatu, Masaga is the most potent attacking wing in the country. He is quick, elusive and backs himself. During Super 14's early rounds, he was outstanding at breaking the first tackle and conjuring space for others. Faded badly, though, hinting that he might suffer from stage fright. Defensively he's a little loose, too. But backs coach Wayne Smith would relish five weeks with Masaga to file some of the rough edges.

Utility Backs

Colin Slade

Province: Canterbury
Weight: 90kg
Height: 1.83m
Age: 21
Caps: 0

Wants to be a first five but looks more like a fullback. Is faultless and brave under the high ball and has a long kicking game. Can tackle and likes to run when he thinks it is on. He can also goal-kick and looks a more traditional, balanced fullback than some of the out-and-out runners the All Blacks have preferred in the recent past.

Robbie Robinson

Southland
Weight: 84kg
Height: 1.81m
Age: 20
Caps: 0

Could be one of the fastest players in New Zealand over 10 metres. Uses that acceleration to stretch defences and bring strike runners into the game. Is remarkably composed for one so young and has been able to steer his side around the field from first five. He can kick out of hand and for goal, which will interest the All Black coaches.