Oliver to lead Otago in NPC

Anton Oliver, yesterday named as the new Otago captain, has been buoyed by the All Blacks' startling start to their international rugby season.

Oliver, 28 and considered unlucky by some not be part of the New Zealand squad, said the two test wins overs England had made excellent viewing.

"The All Blacks played bloody well, fantastically well, in both tests," he said.

"I don't think anyone could quite believe how well we played, especially in the test at Carisbrook (won 36-3 on June 12).

"It's the little things the guys are doing well - cleaning out at the rucks, stuff like that."

Oliver said the All Blacks' more physical approach did not surprise him.

"They were fed a diet of how the English forwards were going to do this and going to do that for I don't know how long.

"As a New Zealander, to watch the guys play the way they did at Carisbrook was great. I don't think they were ever quite going to match the Dunedin display in Auckland (won 36-12 by New Zealand last Saturday).

"Psychologically, you can't churn those out but it was still an effective effort."

Oliver, who played 41 tests for the All Black between 1997 and 2003, including 10 as captain in 2001, said the Otago captaincy would provide him with motivation for the NPC.

He has captained Otago in the occasional game but Taine Randell and Kelvin Middleton between them have led Otago in the NPC since 1997.

"It'll be a tough season," Oliver said.

"The seasons these days are very competitive. The teams who were so-called easybeats are no longer that.

"We've got players scattered far and wide at the moment and it won't be for a while that we'll have our full complement together."

Otago coach Wayne Graham said Oliver was the obvious choice as captain.

"He's thrilled to be asked to take the responsibility. He's an experienced leader and we're delighted to have someone of Anton's calibre leading the side."

No vice-captain has yet been named but contenders could include John Leslie, Ryan Nicholas and, if fit, Danny Lee.

- NZPA