Three good reasons for Luke McAlister

Allan Pollock can think of three good reasons why his North Harbour All Black Luke McAlister should run out with No 10 on his back against South Africa next week.

As the debate over who should replace the injured Daniel Carter for the key Tri-Nations match at Carisbrook runs around in circles, the North Harbour coach made it sound a simple selectorial exercise yesterday.

McAlister made his test debut in the third international against the Lions in July at first five-eighths, but his two subsequent short appearances as a replacement, at Cape Town and Sydney in the Tri-Nations, were largely at second five-eighths.

Pollock believes several factors give the 21-year-old the inside running over, in his view, the only realistic alternative, Canterbury's versatile Leon MacDonald.

"The most important thing is you've got to replace your goalkicker. Luke is probably the most consistent of the candidates," Pollock said last night.

"Secondly, if you're asking a player in from outside the All Black environment and making him goalkicker, it would be a momentous ask and I couldn't see that happening.

"And he's the encumbent, if you go back to the third Lions test [for which Carter was injured]. The only other player who has been at No 10 since is Carter."

Pollock and Canterbury coach Aussie McLean acceded to All Black selectors' requests to play McAlister and MacDonald at first five-eighths in this weekend's NPC round.

All Black coach Graham Henry dropped a pebble into the No 10 pond on Monday by suggesting a wildcard could come into the mix, opening speculation on the merits of Auckland's Tasesa Lavea, Waikato's Stephen Donald and Otago's former All Black Nick Evans.

McAlister's ability to organise Harbour will be vital against high-flying Wellington in the capital tomorrow night. MacDonald lines up in Saturday's Ranfurly Shield defence against Bay of Plenty in Christchurch.

The All Black selectors could have simply revealed the No 10 before the weekend, removing the question from the nationwide debate, which might have given the chosen player a boost of confidence.

But Pollock reckons they have done the right thing by adding a measure of pressure to the weekend.

"The selectors have talked about preparing the elite players and the best way to prepare people for pressure is to put them under it."

McAlister replaces Tusi Pisi for the Wellington match, with the only other change also coming in the backline, Vili Waqaseduadua replaces George Pisi on the right wing, Pisi in turn moves to fullback in place of Andrew Whiteman, who is on the bench.

Ma'a Nonu captains Wellington in the absence of injured prop Joe McDonnell and will link up with All Black Conrad Smith in midfield.

Former Hurricanes halfback Brendon Haami has been added to the bench.

All Black Piri Weepu is unavailable and injury has ruled out Samoan halfback Lua Vailoaloa.

* Westpac Stadium, 7.35pm tomorrow

Wellington

Shannon Paku
Lome Fa'atau
Conrad Smith
Ma'a Nonu (c)
Hosea Gear
Jimmy Gopperth
Nigel Hunt
Thomas Waldrom
Ben Herring
Kristian Ormsby
Luke Andrews
Ross Filipo
Tim Fairbrother
M. Schwalger
Neemia Tialata

North Harbour

George Pisi
V. Waqaseduadua
A. Tuitavake
Rua Tipoki (c)
Zar Lawrence
Luke McAlister
J. Poluleuligaga
Nick Williams
Tom Harding
Brent Wilson
Greg Rawlinson
Marty Veale
Mike Noble
Joe Ward
Tony Coughlan

Reserves:

Wellington: Luke Mahoney, John Schwalger, Ross Kennedy, Serge Lilo, Brendan Haami, Tane Tuipulotu, Tamati Ellison. North Harbour: Roger Dustow, Adrian Donald, Anthony Boric, Rodney Voullaire, Ben Meyer, Tusi Pisi, Andrew Whiteman.