Hit-man Lima gets an Albany call-up

By CHRIS RATTUE

Rugby's legendary hit-man Brian Lima has been called into the Pacific Islanders squad for Saturday night's test against the All Blacks at Albany.

And it sets up a possible warhead-to-warhead clash with All Black midfield back Sam Tuitupou that will send a shudder through the North Harbour stands.

The veteran Samoan centre, who played the first of his 58 tests in 1990, has long been rated the hardest tackler in world rugby, but Tuitupou has quickly slammed up the hit list.

Lima's call-up caused excitement on Manu Samoa Ltd's website, which headlined it, "Here comes more coconut tackles", a reference to a controversial description of a Lima tackle against South Africa during the 1995 World Cup.

Lima, who would replace the suspended Seilala Mapusua, is likely to start, whereas Tuitupou is more a bench candidate behind Dan Carter - but the pair could clash later in the game.

Lima, a former Auckland and Blues wing, turns 32 this month, but showed his rib-rattling ability is still intact when he smashed South African Derick Hougaard during the World Cup in Australia last year.

"It's definitely the hardest tackle I've taken in my life, but I'm still breathing and that's a good sign," was Hougaard's reaction.

Lima, who plays in Japan, would have already been in the Pacific Islanders squad but for injuring his groin against Fiji nearly a month ago.

He left Samoa early yesterday and a couple of hours after landing was training alongside his Islanders team-mates in a North Shore gymnasium.

Lima said the Islanders had huge support in Samoa.

"The people are very happy. They support the team 120 per cent, especially after the performance [against Australia] last week," he said.

"It's like supporting the Samoan team. It doesn't matter who is playing - Fiji, Tonga, Samoa. They are supporting a Pacific Islands team. It's an honour for me to be playing for them and to play against the All Blacks."

It will be Lima's fourth appearance against the All Blacks.

Islanders coach John Boe was unperturbed about Lima's late inclusion, saying such matters were par for the course in Pacific Island teams.

As an example, he said wing Sitiveni Sivivatu was in Hamilton yesterday on family business.

"Brian's been resting and we believe he's fit. He looked good today," Boe said. "I've brought him in to strengthen the defence."