Oliver targets early NPC comeback

Anton Oliver may target a return to rugby in the early rounds of the NPC and Otago coach Wayne Graham will not hesitate to select the recovering hooker.

Graham spoke to the veteran All Black today and is hopeful Oliver is on track for a comeback from the leg injury that forced him out of the Lions series.

"Anton's feeling good but he's still a fair way away from playing," Graham said.

"As soon as he's ready, he'll play for us. Whether that's coming off the bench at first, I don't know."

Otago, as the Sassenachs, play the Cantabrians in Christchurch on July 29 and Otago play Southland in a pre-season game at Carisbrook on August 6. But Graham doubted Oliver would be fit for either of those games.

In the early rounds of the NPC, Otago are at home to Bay of Plenty and Auckland.

New All Black lock James Ryan will play the early games for Otago before rejoining the All Blacks for the Tri-Nations.

Graham will name an Otago squad of 26 after the Sassenachs game.

- nzpa