Aled de Malmanche. Photo / Dean Purcell
Regardless of the result overnight, the NZ Maori versus England Saxons Churchill Cup decider throws up an interesting question.
Will the contest advance Aled de Malmanche's career?
The Chiefs utility front rower is only 22 and in his first real season of first-class rugby, yet he has turned
heads with some powerful sorties off the bench for the Chiefs and the Maori.
The 113kg forward is also a rare beast - able to play both loosehead and tighthead, as well as hooker. Such versatility gives coaches the chance to arrange their bench - but also carries the potential for him to be regarded as merely a bench player.
De Malmanche's running and aggression in the close-quarter stuff got him noticed in the Super 14 season. He was also noticed as a replacement in the last Maori outing - a 50-22 win over Ireland to make the final against the feeder side to the main England team.
De Malmanche impressed with the ball in hand and his driving play against Ireland, earning him a starting role at hooker against the Saxons.
It is at hooker that many think he might have a chance for higher honours, although he did have some throwing trouble during the Super 14.
However, that versatility could be very useful to him as there have been few internationals able to play anywhere in the front row.
The Saxons clash will be a good testing ground, as Twickenham's daunting surrounds and a strong England pack on home turf are sure to have extended the Maori. The bruising 50-22 final pool match win left players bracketed at centre and fullback - Dwayne Sweeney and Jason Kawau at No 13, and Shannon Paku and Glen Horton at fullback.
Though the Maori talked up England's forwards, they fielded big, fast outside backs like wingers Paul Sackey, Tom Voyce and new fullback Danny Cipriani.
Coach Donny Stevenson said New Zealand Maori would maintain a similar approach to their group games. England would play a similar game to Ireland A, with one-off runners trying to penetrate through the middle, and an aggressive approach from their pack.
He said: "England are not too different to Ireland A, we think they play a similar style. Maybe their outside backs are a bit quicker but we expect much of the same - one-off runners and strong set-pieces."
