Wynne Gray: Put Hore on standby and stop 'stork'

Andrew Hore. Photo / Brett Phibbs

I checked. Andrew Hore is only 36 next month and Sonny Bill Williams is due to be a dad in November.

Let's think what that might mean for the All Blacks. A return for the wily Hore perhaps to strengthen the hooking stocks and a barrier in plans to include SBW on the end-of-year tour.

The All Blacks have struggled to settle on the backup hookers for Keven Mealamu and Dane Coles although the noises are that Nathan Harris will travel with the squad for the Rugby Championship test against the Boks in October.

Coles' partner is expecting their child about then and he anticipates he will stay at home for the birth while Harris will return to South Africa where he was accused then cleared of rape allegations after a visit with the NZ under-20 side two years ago.

He is a rising rugby talent the All Black selectors have identified as a better international prospect than others such as Corey Flynn, Liam Coltman, Motu Motu'u, Tom McCartney, Codie Taylor or Ash Dixon.

While all this is going on, a batch of injuries in Southland has provoked an SOS for Hore to help out today against Otago. The former All Black hooker continued to play club rugby since his test exit in 2012 although he had to stand down for a broken wrist this season. He has recovered and will add plenty of experience if called up today in Invercargill.

If he fronts today and shows all his old technical excellence in a few other ITM Cup games, why not whisper in his ear to keep turning out for the Maniototo Maggots next year as a standby man for the World Cup.

He'll be only 37 then.

SBW is expected back when the Roosters' campaign finishes in the NRL and his wife is due some time around late October-November, when the All Blacks were planning to include him in their end-of-year squad to the US and Europe.

Manager Darren Shand must have a "stork" chart hung in the team room.

There might also be an accompanying video from coach Steve Hansen with some sort of message like, "I know you jokers need to look after mum when you get home but can we leave the baby-making off the production list in 2015."