KEY POINTS:
Reuben Thorne reckons he's not among the majority of the All Blacks' Tri-Nations rugby squad who can already start packing their bags for the World Cup.
Thorne has been unhappy with his limited chances in the black jersey this year -- the rusty first test downing of France
and uninspired win over Canada -- and knows the importance of a bold showing against South Africa in the Tri-Nations test at Jade Stadium in Christchurch on Saturday night.
First-choice blindside flanker Jerry Collins is sure to return for the Bledisloe Cup decider against Australia on July 21 so Thorne effectively has one chance to ensure his name is read out a day later among the 30 to travel to France.
"I don't know that there will be many surprises but there could well be if guys don't perform in these next two games," he said.
"I don't think I've played that well in my opportunities so far and the coaches have said right from the start that nothing is guaranteed.
"There are probably a number of guys who feel they're below their best. This is another opportunity to say 'I'm heading in the right direction and lifting my game'."
Either Thorne or another lock/flanker not at his best in recent tests, Troy Flavell, could yet miss the final cut if the selectors feel the balance of the forward pack is better served by another ball running forward such as Sione Lauaki or another specialist openside flanker like Marty Holah or Daniel Braid.
Former captain Thorne, 32, was happy to accept a much-reduced role -- to offer wisdom off the field and provide a suitable fill-in for the world class Collins when rotation came knocking, as it has this week.
"Jerry is the top blindside so coming into the squad I knew that my role wouldn't be as a starting six all the time," he said.
"He's become a huge part of it but I'm a different style of player. I couldn't be Jerry so I've just got to do what I do and help the team function in my own way.
"I just work within the team environment, what the team needs, and try to do that as best I can."
The critics who said Thorne shouldn't have been captain at the World Cup four years ago remain, with pockets of detractors still questioning his place in the squad because of a perceived lack of impact.
He has long become immune to the talk and is driven by a personal goal to put right the failed campaigns of 1999 and 2003 in which he was involved.
"I just want to win one, you know?" he said in a matter-of-fact style.
"It's not so much an achievement going to three, it's the fact that I want to win the World Cup and be part of a team that gets to that point.
"If I can help this team do it in any way possible, that's what I'm here for."
Thorne will on Saturday inch to within two test caps of 50, and is hopeful he can maintain an excellent record against the Springboks, having lost just once in 10 meetings.
Last year's home test against the 'Boks in Wellington marked Thorne's return from the international wilderness since the giant stumble of 2003.
- NZPA