Rugby: Rookies likely in mix for Apia test

Blues midfielder George Moala is likely to be on the bench. Photo / Getty Images

Absence of Hurricanes and Highlanders stars will leave holes in several areas.

The All Blacks will call in reinforcements for next week's test against Samoa to cover for the loss of 17 players thanks to the all-New Zealand Super Rugby final between the Hurricanes and Highlanders.

The absence of 12 Hurricanes and five Highlanders will leave the selectors short in several areas for the historic match in Apia on Wednesday, July 8. They are especially thin at lock, midfield, wing and fullback.

At least three players are likely to be called in. One could be two-test Crusaders lock Dominic Bird, with Chiefs duo James Lowe, a wing or fullback, and midfielder Charles Ngatai, possibly in the mix. Neither Lowe nor Ngatai has played a test, but with Charles Piutau and Israel Dagg returning from injuries, Lowe or another outside back could find himself on the reserves bench at least.

Blues midfielder George Moala, already in the squad as injury cover, is likely to be on the bench to cover for the absence of Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith and Malakai Fekitoa. If so, it will be Moala's first test, with Sonny Bill Williams and Ryan Crotty likely to start.

Crusaders halfback Andy Ellis is likely to be involved in his first test since the 2011 World Cup final, with Chiefs player Brad Weber providing cover in what will be his debut test. Ellis, who will probably start, finds himself back in the frame with Tawera Kerr-Barlow injured and Aaron Smith and TJ Perenara involved in this Saturday's final.

Ellis' teammate, prop Nepo Laulala, who has trained in Auckland during the week because of Charlie Faumuina's neck injury, will probably be on the bench.

If Dan Carter starts at No 10, Colin Slade is a possibility to play on one wing. It might add to what will look like a pick-and-mix line-up, but Slade is reliable under the high ball, is a good defender, and offers another goalkicking option.

An afternoon kick-off in front of a packed and partisan crowd at Apia Park will be a baptism of fire for many of the younger members of the squad, but there is a confidence among the selectors that they are well prepared.

"We've been planning for this," selector Grant Fox told Newstalk ZB yesterday. "We knew this was a potential outcome so there has already been a fair degree of chat on this. We can take 29 to Samoa so we obviously have to work out a playing XV, a bench of eight and cover elsewhere to make sure that if anything happens in the short time up there with injuries at training etc that we can get that covered."

Asked what sort of challenge his men faced against a Samoa squad already based in Apia and ready to play the All Blacks in a test at home for the first time, Fox replied: "We know what we're getting into. It's the first test of the year for us but I wouldn't underestimate where our boys will get to either. Everyone is talking up what Samoa will bring and that's a given, we understand that, but let's not forget about our group and what the occasion will mean to us and what we'll bring to it."

Possible match-day squad
15. Israel Dagg, 14. Charles Piutau, 13. Ryan Crotty, 12. Sonny Bill Williams, 11. Colin Slade, 10. Dan Carter, 9. Andy Ellis, 8. Kieran Read, 7. Richie McCaw (c), 6. Jerome Kaino, 5. Sam Whitelock, 4. Brodie Retallick, 3. Owen Franks, 2. Keven Mealamu, 1. Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Tony Woodcock, Nepo Laulala, Hika Elliot, Luke Romano, Liam Messam, Brad Weber, George Moala, James Lowe.