Rugby: Cashmore out but Lomu may provide reprieve

By Chris Rattue

Auckland fullback Adrian Cashmore has been dropped from the New Zealand A side to play France in Hamilton on Sunday, although he will win a reprieve if Jonah Lomu plays a substantial part in the All Blacks' test against Samoa at Albany tomorrow night.

Lomu has been named on the bench in both games and if he gets an extended run in tomorrow's test, he will be pulled out of the Hamilton match.

Cashmore has paid the price for a below-par performance in New Zealand A's loss to the All Blacks in Christchurch last week.

As predicted, Carlos Spencer has been named at first five-eighths for New Zealand A but if he is required to play a major part from the bench in the test at Albany, he will also be pulled out of Sunday's game.

That would lead to Chiefs pivot Glen Jackson being reinstated for New Zealand A.

Bruce Reihana has been shifted from wing to fullback for New Zealand A, which will end any possiblity he had of playing for France. Reihana's mother is French-born and there was speculation he might try to forge a new international future, like the Leslie brothers for Scotland, if he was ignored by this country's selectors.

Marc Ellis, Craig Innes, Mark Robinson, and Greg Somerville have been promoted to starting positions on Sunday.

All Black coach John Hart is pulling the strings over New Zealand A selection as part of his efforts to groom his test squad this season.

New Zealand A coach Ross Cooper said: "Cashmore didn't have a very good game and he has admitted that himself.

"And there is some interest in seeing Bruce Reihana show his ability as a utility. But a lot depends on how much time Lomu gets in the test."

New Zealand A: Bruce Reihana, Joeli Vidiri, Caleb Ralph, Marc Ellis, Craig Innes, Carlos Spencer, Mark Robinson, Isitolo Maka, Scott Robertson, Todd Blackadder (captain), Royce Willis, Troy Flavell, Gordon Slater, Norm Hewitt, Greg Somerville. Reserves: Jonah Lomu, Walter Little, Rhys Duggan; Glen Marsh, John Blaikie, Con Barrell and Slade McFarland.