Rugby: Henry has four in mind as next jackal

Four candidates have bubbled to the top in the All Blacks hunt for the next "jackal" - the flanker whose credentials best compare with Richie McCaw and whose identity will be resolved in just over a week.

McCaw has been a massive strength for coach Graham Henry, playing in 49 of the 63 tests during his reign, with his absences caused only by rotation or injuries, like the concussion he suffered in 2004.

McCaw's supreme skills, leadership and resilience persuaded the selectors they could cover him through the utility skills of their other loose forwards, like Rodney So'oialo.

However Henry revealed he will choose a specialist backup for McCaw when the initial All Black squad of 26 players is announced next Sunday. That group will be involved in the two tests against France and one against Italy in June.

The search for McCaw's colleague had been narrowed to four but Henry could not be persuaded to go into any more detail about their identity, only their job description details.

"We are looking for a guy who has the same work ethic, I think workrate for a seven is critical. I think Richie's workrate is extremely special and that is why he is such a great player," Henry said.

"He just runs all day and you need someone who can do that and obviously be effective over the ball, create turnovers.

"I think the change in the interpretation of the law there, will make it a better game and it will be very important that that jackal player does it well.

"Richie's strengths are to run all day and make good decisions in the tackle area and put real pressure on the ball. Of course he has got other attributes - he is a very efficient tackler, he is more than useful in the lineout, catches the high ball well - so we are trying to simulate that player."

Henry would not be drawn on the difficulties of identifying that player or whether he was playing elsewhere in the loose forwards during the Super 14.

"I think what it boils down to is that there are about four guys currently who are pretty good sevens and it is just about picking the right one. And in doing that the door is always open for guys who are picked in the Junior All Blacks and then you have got a guy like [Josh] Blackie who hasn't played the footy to be considered which is frustrating because I think he has got a lot of good attributes," Henry said.

McCaw has been an incredible warrior for the All Blacks since his selection in 2001 and has played 70 tests since his debut against Ireland. When he has not been available, Marty Holah, Sam Harding, Daniel Braid, So'oialo, Chris Masoe and Adam Thomson have been used in his role.

Braid was tried again last year as a specialist backup but he was returning from injury and was unable to perform at his best. Thomson played against Scotland on the end of year tour when McCaw was rested while Scott Waldrom was used in the game against Munster.

"We are going to pick the guy that we think will play the best at seven at test match level if Richie can't play," Henry said, a week out from that public decision. The search for that understudy had been intriguing and he would play, not just keep the bench warm, in the June tests.

The selectors were planning a 12 backs-14 forwards split with their greatest headaches at wing, halfback and loose forward because of the number of contenders and at lock because of the injuries to Anthony Boric and Ali Williams.

Boric had undergone surgery on his broken big toe and might return in the middle of the Tri-Nations, Williams was recovering from his Achilles tendon troubles but would not play in the opening test in June while Brad Thorn had his hamstring niggles.

Injured five-eighths Daniel Carter was making good progress from his snapped Achilles tendon and might be available later in the Tri-Nations while Corey Flynn had to be ultra-conservative in his comeback from his latest broken arm.

"We are a long way down road, we are pleased with depth in most positions," Henry said.

"The Junior All Blacks will be exceptionally strong and there will be some in that squad who will end up in the All Blacks by the end of the season. There will be a considerable number who will also come through and be knocking on the door for selection in the 2011 World Cup."

Henry conceded this year's All Blacks were easier to select than last season's squads.

"We were under a lot of pressure as a selection group and a host of players had left, but this season, those players still there have come on and that has made it easier.

"There are one or two players who have been quiet this year, who have not fired. Most have played well so the difficulty is who to leave out. As a general philosophy, you are not going to see experiments in the All Blacks."

Expectations this year?

"Expectations are pretty bloody clear aren't they? Those expectations, let's not kid ourselves, those are to win as many test matches as possible. Like the All Blacks, the coaches, the management and the New Zealand public and Wynne Gray all know what they are.

"We are looking to improve and if we do the results will look after themselves, and that is all we can do."

Henry felt the tweaking of the laws would make the game easier to follow.

There would be more penalties, more shots at goal, more lineouts, more structure and probably more driving play, which would suit the Springboks' style.

"People of my vintage will enjoy the greater structure while the New Zealand guys playing the game enjoyed the sanctions because there was constant momentum. The traditional rugby viewer will enjoy it more, the South Africans will enjoy the greater structure, the Aussies and the Kiwis probably won't," Henry suggested.