French test prop comes to the rescue for NPC

By WYNNE GRAY

When David White moved to be chief executive with the Auckland Rugby Union this season, the idea of hiring French prop Christian Califano travelled with him.

The chance to try the idea came when NPC coach Wayne Pivac said he had twin problems with a dearth of tighthead props and too many top players leaving the province.

Their solution was to start an alliance with the Toulouse club in France, a scheme which allowed them to send players away for some experience and still have them contracted to Auckland.

It also meant someone like Califano, who had a leave-of-absence clause in his five-year contract, could turn out for Auckland.

"The idea is to stem our player-drain ... keep them employed, give them European experience and still have them available for the NPC or Super 12," White said.

The Auckland union announced yesterday that they would sign Califano for this season's NPC.

They expected he would be available for NPC duty after the solitary French test against the All Blacks on June 30 in Wellington.

Two years ago, White, as then chief executive of Wellington, met Califano and asked him about playing in New Zealand.

The frontrower had long talked of that target, but at that stage could not get a clearance. Englishman Kevin Yates was hired instead.

On moving to Auckland, White quickly became aware of the tighthead propping worries in the province.

Coach Pivac said he thought Craig Dowd's career had suffered because he had been asked to change sides from his preferred loosehead job.

"Hiring Califano gives our promising props someone to learn from," Pivac said yesterday. "Our preference is to play locals, but we have not got any ready yet for the NPC."

Califano is 28 and has played 61 tests for France.

After a series of injuries and competition from other top props, he made a comeback in the Six Nations this year.

But French sources said he was now struggling with a groin injury and would be unable to play again for at least another month.

The 110kg Califano can play either side of the scrum, is a good handler and is very mobile, with a time of just over 12s for the 100m.

He first toured New Zealand in 1994 and enjoyed the trip so much he had a Maori design tattooed on his arm.

Califano said from France yesterday: "It is a big privilege to come to New Zealand and play in the best rugby nation in the world.

"Auckland is one of the best provincial teams in the world and I am looking forward to playing in that team.

"I've got 61 caps and a good part of my career is now behind me. It's an exciting challenge before the World Cup."

New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive David Rutherford said Califano's entry into the NPC would have to be cleared, but it would be a formality.

But if he was then wanted for next year's Super 12, that would be different.

Last year, the NZ union rejected a request from the Highlanders to use Otago's South African import Justin Swart in their side. Yates had got in earlier on a dispensation.

The criteria, Rutherford said, were to use players eligible for New Zealand first, then Pacific Islanders and then overseas players.