Califano aims for slice of history

By WYNNE GRAY

Even for a displaced French prop, tomorrow's Ranfurly Shield challenge is special.

When he was plying his front-row trade at home and around the globe, Christian Califano was very aware of the history and folklore of one of rugby's most famous trophies.

And in Christchurch tomorrow, the 29-year-old tighthead prop gets to challenge for the prize when Auckland travel to play Canterbury.

"This is a big competition, this is a big, big challenge," he said yesterday. "Same for Auckland, same for me, this will be a very special day."

Califano has been impressed mightily with the standard of the NPC and the chance that the lowest side can beat the favourites if they do not play to their potential.

"It can be a little like that in France, but only because the season is 11 months long," Califano said.

"That affects the players' passion.

"They cannot sustain it for every match. But here we have a hard competition for three months and you have to be 100 per cent all the time, because if you are only at 80 per cent you will not win."

He said he had been inspired by the professionalism and discipline of all NPC sides.

Califano had not struggled with the game plans, though he admitted his lack of fluent English hampered him when he dealt with referees.

Auckland coach Wayne Pivac said Califano was an easy player to coach. "He is so experienced, and used to all sorts of calls and codes."

Auckland are unchanged from the side who beat Wellington, but they have had to deal with some distractions after public discussions about player transfers.

"We have put all that behind us and we are ready to play the biggest game of our season," Pivac said.

Canterbury have made several changes. Norm Maxwell has apparently bulked up enough after his gym work to be reinstated at lock, but Chris Jack has now mysteriously disappeared.

"He's not going to have an opportunity to have a break in the 24 months ahead, with the Super 12 and NPC programmes, and the likelihood of All Black campaigns," coach Steve Hansen said.

"We saw this as an opportunity to allow Jacko to do some base conditioning which will greatly benefit his playing long-term."

Utility back Ben Blair is injured and All Black first five-eighths Andrew Mehrtens will take over his goalkicking work. In another rearrangement, Aaron Mauger has recovered from his hamstring strain and pushed his brother out to centre, with Caleb Ralph switching to the wing.

Hansen said there was a real edge about his side's training; they had seen how important the shield was to everyone when they made their great comeback against Wellington.

"That was as close as you go to losing it," he said, "and to experience the relief and emotions in the last minute is something we really cherish."