Mika claims backrow position for Auckland

By WYNNE GRAY

The All Blacks have not used a bulky No 8 since the brief experiment three years ago with Paul Miller.

But Auckland coach and former Manu Samoa No 8 Pat Lam may create some alternatives if his decision to switch former test lock Bradley Mika to No 8 is successful.

The idea will get its first serious test when Mika plays off the back of the scrum in Auckland's start to their NPC title defence against Bay of Plenty on Sunday.

Lam has a logjam of backrow talent to choose from while two others - Xavier Rush and Mose Tuilai'i - are away on Tri-Nations duty this weekend in South Africa.

Add in Mika, Sione Lauaki and Jerome Kaino, who can all play No 8, and Auckland's selection riches are obvious.

Lam is convinced Mika has the prototype physique to swap positions.

"For a guy of his size his workrate is unbelievable, and if you look at international rugby - and of course he has got a long way to go - to me he is a future No 8.

"I believe his skill level is huge, and when I watched him during the Super 12 he was the best Blues forward.

"The thing that amazed me straight away was the weight he had lost.

"I watched him closely and he does a lot of work at the breakdown, he is great with the ball in the air and I thought, hold on, where can we play this guy."

Similar ideas were being canvassed by All Black coach Graham Henry when he rang Mika to tell him he had just missed a national trial place and should play for the Barbarians against England.

"He said he was going for the really tall timber at lock and that he saw me as either a six or eight in international rugby," Mika said yesterday.

It was a suggestion which reminded Mika of his schoolboy rugby when he was predominantly used as a loose forward at St Peter's College before he switched to lock and three All Black caps in 2002.

The 122kg Mika started the opening Ranfurly Shield defence against Poverty Bay as No 8 and then played an entire trial game against Wellington in that new position.

"He is ready to go at No 8," Lam declared as he revealed his selection for Sunday's match.

There has been some shifting of the utility backs. Isa Nacewa has been picked at fullback, with Brent Ward moving to the wing where he has played capably for the Hurricanes.

Auckland have a huge pack, led by new captain Angus Macdonald, with an all-international backrow of Mika, Lauaki and Daniel Braid.

"The toughest part at the moment is who to leave out," Lam said, with 10 potential squad members away with the All Blacks.

"We can't be sidetracked about what might happen in the future or whatever, we just have to deal with what is in front of us now.

"It is not going to get any easier, especially if these guys play well and grab their chance."


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