Rugby: Kamo's jumping for action

By Wynne Gray

Ian Jones, the most-capped lock in All Black history, is prepared for most things this weekend.

He is set for a final crack at World Cup selection in North Harbour's NPC and local derby meeting with Auckland. He is ready to be woken in the middle of the night by his 10-week old daughter, and he is prepared for the fact that he may get a call from the national selectors to tell him he has missed the cut for the World Cup.

"I don't know which way to think," Jones said yesterday. "All I know is I have one more chance this weekend to push my claims and I would dearly love to be involved."

That opening looks to have closed significantly, with All Black coach John Hart revealing his panel's preference to take three specialist locks and other utilities to cover that position when they announce the 30-man squad on Monday.

The specialist trio would be Robin Brooke, Norm Maxwell and Royce Willis, with Reuben Thorne, on the evidence of his being called in for the last two tests, as one of the back-ups.

A stunning match from Jones this Saturday, a rethink from the All Black selectors, or a serious injury to one of the frontline locks would be needed to alter the planning.

Jones has been used just once in a test this season, as a substitute, to take him to 77 internationals, second behind Sean Fitzpatrick as the most-capped All Black.

His middle-of-the-lineout job has gone to Maxwell, while Jones has now signed to play for the English club Gloucester after the World Cup.

He does not see that signing as any reason for being bypassed for the World Cup.

"My intentions have not changed. I have been happy with the way I went in Super 12 and with New Zealand, though we had a flat one for Harbour last week against Wellington. I know if I was selected for the World Cup I would go in with a lot of confidence.

"When I signed with Gloucester, I reaffirmed my obligations to the All Blacks until the end of this year. It was not practical to keep quiet about my new contract as Gloucester were going to announce it.

"That contract has not decreased my desire to play for the All Blacks."

Jones' strongest cards at the selection table will be his massive experience, his lineout expertise and ability to step straight into a major international if Maxwell was injured.

To play any of England, South Africa, Australia or France with someone other than Maxwell or Jones in the middle of the line would be a huge risk.

There are plans to have a few fringe All Blacks in Wales playing in a Legends tournament side once the NPC round-robin section is over and that selection could have Jones, Norm Hewitt and others there in action and on standby. It was a scheme canvassed by assistant All Black coach Peter Sloane.

"While we have back-up in the squad, it is important that if we have an injury that we have people there who can step in. So it is a bit like balancing your books really," he said.

"It would be handy to have three or four over there, keeping in mind the travel - you lose a day and a half getting up there - so we could have four or five players there, depending on our final decision."

Jones is pinning his final hopes on the panel picking four specialist locks, and a standout game for Harbour with national selector Gordon Hunter in the stand.

Jones said: "I have one more chance but regardless of what happens I will be rooting for the All Blacks. They are going well - they have got to keep working hard but I am thrilled for them that they are doing so well again."