Waikato selectors itching for wrecking machine to get back

Waikato coach Warren Gatland says Sione Lauaki needs another week to regain total confidence in his game after his pectoral muscle injury. John McCombe / Getty Images

Graham Henry and Warren Gatland both wanted to see Sione Lauaki get game time for Waikato in the week's big championship game against Canterbury in Hamilton tomorrow night.

But the big loose forward's return from a lengthy pectoral muscle injury has been put back a further week.

The powerful Lauaki suffered the injury for the Chiefs against the Bulls in April.

He is mending, and got through a session of contact work this week, but Waikato coach Gatland is reluctant to push him in until he's ready.

"He's not quite ready mentally," he said yesterday.

"He can still feel the pectoral muscle where he had the operation and the way he plays the game it's important he's mentally at 100 per cent."

Gatland believes Lauaki's muscular approach, whether defending or running with the ball in hand, relies on total confidence at the moment of impact.

"So we'll give him another week to make sure he's right. He's very, very close but we're not rushing him," Gatland added.

All Black boss Henry is keen to check Lauaki's situation, not so much with the remainder of the Tri-Nations in mind, as the end-of-year tour of France and Britain.

Waikato are missing first choice hooker Tom Willis, who is getting over sore ribs, prop Sam Biddles, the most obvious victim of a flu bug which has troubled several players and management staff in the last week, and All Black halfback Byron Kelleher.

The upside is experienced back David Hill returns after missing the win in Southland and the presence of influential senior pack man Jono Gibbes, whose 2005 campaign was marred by injury.

"I can't speak too highly of Jono," Gatland said.

"There's the little extras he's doing in terms of preparation, looking at the opposition and supporting [captain] Steven Bates.

"I've seen a side of him that has impressed me hugely."

Canterbury have three All Blacks starting - wing Scott Hamilton, flanker Reuben Thorne and prop Greg Somerville - but there are passes for All Black captain Richie McCaw, backline kingpin Dan Carter, fullback Leon MacDonald and midfield back Aaron Mauger.

* Bay of Plenty are without hard-running second five-eighth Jeffrey Ierome for Saturday's visit by North Harbour. Ierome tweaked a medial ligament during the loss to Wellington.

Jonah Lomu won't be in Harbour's side as he works back to full fitness after his ankle injury, however coach Allan Pollock hopes the big wing will be available for selection next week against Wellington.

* Northland hope to have experienced flanker Justin Collins back when they travel to Otago on Sunday. Collins played a club game in Auckland last weekend and is a good chance to run out onto the same ground on which he blew his achilles tendon for the Blues against the Highlanders last February.

Otago have lost captain Craig Newby for the season, with a shoulder injury.

Opensider Josh Blackie takes over the leadership.

* Waikato v Canterbury, Hamilton, 7.35pm tomorrow

Waikato

Sosene Anesi, Roy Kinikinilau, Richard Kahui, David Hill, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Brendon Leonard, Liam Messam, Marty Holah, Steven Bates (c), Jono Gibbes, Toby Lynn, Nathan White, Scott Linklater, Craig West

Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, Andre Ellison, Mark Burman, Steven Setephano, David Bason, Dwayne Sweeney, Roger Randle.

Canterbury

Ben Blair, Scott Hamilton, Casey Laulala, C. McIntyre, Caleb Ralph, Stephen Brett, Andy Ellis, Mose Tuiali'I, Johnny Leo'o, Reuben Thorne, Kevin O'Neill, Craig Clarke, C. Johnstone, Corey Flynn (c), Greg Somerville

Reserves: Tone Kopelani, Wyatt Crockett, Isaac Ross, Hayden Hopgood, Kevin Senio, Tim Bateman, Steven Yates.