Andre meets the giant

At first, Manawatu rugby prodigy Andre Taylor talks a good game. But soon none-too-convincing laughter intersperses his reaction to marking the juggernaut known as Jonah Lomu.

The impetuosity of youth is tempered with the realisation that a fanciful childhood dream comes true at North Harbour Stadium tonight - with one minor though significant modification.

Taylor, all of 18 years and 85kg, takes on an assignment older, wiser and more solidly built right wingers have flunked over the years when Lomu makes his first start in a national provincial game for three years.

But the Palmerston North Boys High student is a little more than quietly confident of keeping the All Blacks legend in check.

"I'll get up in his face and show him no respect on the pitch," Taylor claimed, before his bravado is promptly undone by a jittery "ha, ha".

It may be wishful thinking but Taylor also optimistically considered: "You never know, he might not get to run at me at all with the ball."

As a sleepy-eyed seven-year-old he best remembers Lomu, as most do, for using Mike Catt as a speedbump en route to the try line in Cape Town 11 years ago.

Back then Taylor would imagine of one day playing alongside Lomu, out of harm's way.

"Like most kids I looked up to him back then. I've always dreamed about playing with him - but obviously it's turned out the other way.

"I never thought I'd ever mark Jonah. Whatever happens I can always say I marked a legend."

In his last few months at high school, the youngest of four siblings juggles his academic and rugby educations, with the latter taking priority for now.

"I just go to school when I can. I've dropped some internal standards to fit everything in but I do a lot of work at home," said Taylor, who was promoted to the Air New Zealand Cup after three years in the first XV.

He made his debut against Taranaki and has also held his own against Bay of Plenty and Wellington. But Lomu and North Harbour, well: "This is going to be the biggest thing in my life at this stage," he admitted.

Taylor expects to be back at school on Monday morning for biology.

He's too old for "show and tell" these days but if he plucks up the courage to ask the big man for his jersey - and Lomu agrees - then he might take that prized possession along for his mates to look at. There'll be no asking for autographs though. That's kids stuff.

- NZPA