Wellington out to 'bounce' Auckland

Chris Masoe

The "bouncers" are reunited as Wellington unleash their full strength loose forward contingent for the first time against Air New Zealand Cup rugby semifinal opponents Auckland on Friday.

In the only change from the side who monstered Canterbury in last Friday's quarterfinal, flanker Chris Masoe wins selection for the first time since injuring his ankle with the All Blacks six weeks ago.

However, he is on the reserve bench behind in-form No 7 Ben Herring.

Coach John Plumtree vowed Masoe would get field time but said Herring's recent form, particularly last week, couldn't be ignored.

If Masoe gets on to join fellow-All Blacks loosies Jerry Collins and Rodney So'oialo, it will re-form the physically imposing trio famously dubbed the "bouncers" by Australian television commentators during the Hurricanes' charge to this year's Super 14 final.

"With the All Blacks loose forwards coming back it adds a whole different dynamic to this pack," said Plumtree, who had chastised his team earlier in the season for lacking drive.

"We already see the loose forwards as being in pretty good form and having Chris back in the mix is perfect for us.

"It was hard to make changes after that performance (against Canterbury), everyone played well from one to 15."

Masoe was a standout performer when the Hurricanes hammered the Blues 37-19 at Eden Park in the first ever Super 14 match back in February, a game featuring a decent thatch of tomorrow's playing personnel.

Collins scored two tries in a dominant forward performance against Canterbury last week while workaholic No 8 So'oialo will play his 50th game for Wellington at Eden Park.

Plumtree said Wellington couldn't expect to roll so easily over the advantage line against an Auckland pack more hardened than Canterbury's.

Also, the Aucklanders carried a more unpredictable attacking threat and were deadly from turnovers.

"We're not going to keep every ball, they've got a good loose forward trio as well, but we have to be pretty accurate with what we do around the field," said Plumtree, predicting a high-speed affair from the opening whistle.

Wellington captain Tana Umaga said while his team were entitled to feel good about themselves after dismantling Canterbury, they had to remain grounded.

"While we're really happy with the way we played, we've been at pains to make the guys understand that that was last week. The challenge for us is to duplicate that performance," he said.

"There's no reason we can't do it again. It's the same players in our team, it's all there for us."

He agreed Wellington had been as erratic as ever this year but believed the players who had been involved in the Super 14 playoffs five months ago were now showing the benefits.

"It's pretty much the same (Hurricanes) team who played the semifinal and final of the Super 14. That creates experience at playing in these kinds of games," Umaga said.

"You only need to look at the Canterbury and Crusaders sides of the past. It's evident from the injuries they had (last week), that the inexperience factor was important."

One of the Wellington players to shine this season without any Super 14 experience, winger Cory Jane, didn't train again today because of the risk of infecting a deep cut to his knee but he has been cleared to play.

Wellington: Shannon Paku, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Tana Umaga (captain), Cory Jane, Jimmy Gopperth, Piri Weepu, Rodney So'oialo, Ben Herring, Jerry Collins, Luke Andrews, Ross Filipo, Neemia Tialata, Mahonri Schwalger, Joe McDonnell.

Reserves: Luke Mahoney, John Schwalger, Jeremy Thrush, Chris Masoe, Alby Mathewson, Miah Nikora, Lome Fa'atau.

- NZPA