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TOULOUSE - It will be the last appearance at this World Cup for several All Blacks involved in tomorrow's pool clash against Romania while an even more permanent rugby farewell could loom for second five-eighth Aaron Mauger.
Still one of the world's premier backs, Mauger, 26, may well have no involvement in the tournament playoffs if Luke McAlister establishes himself in the No 12 jersey and the reserve mix doesn't accommodate the Cantabrian.
That would represent a quiet end to a quality test career if Mauger can't reclaim a black jersey when his upcoming stint with English club Leicester ends.
Mauger knows injuries could yet open doors for him at this tournament but hoped to force a place in the top team for next week's quarterfinal on merit with a display that couldn't be ignored at Le Stadium.
"I haven't had too much in the way of information from the coaches what we're going to be doing going ahead," a realistic Mauger said.
"It's been hinted at in the past that they might go for the strongest team three weeks in a row (in the knockout phase). That's probably what it's looking like.
"Luke's played well all year... if I got a start I'd be pretty happy at this stage but you have to always prepare for the worst and hope for the best."
The multi-skilled Mauger made his debut along with current captain Richie McCaw against Ireland at Dublin in 2001 and has since been generally regarded as the first-choice second five-eighth.
That is until this year, where McAlister's Super 14 form and early test efforts outshone Mauger.
"The guys who have been in the top team over the last few months deserve to be there, they've played well," he said.
"The next tier are always putting pressure on and trying to get spots for themselves so it's pretty healthy."
The other six All Blacks who have signed with European clubs after the World Cup can expect to be involved in the playoffs next month.
They are McAlister, winger Doug Howlett, halfback Byron Kelleher, lock Chris Jack, prop Carl Hayman and hooker Anton Oliver.
He won't be out to prove himself individually, as usual hoping for a performance that best allows a quality team outcome.
"Ideally I'd like to play the World Cup final in the No 12 jersey but we'll have to wait and see I suppose," Mauger said.
"Just to be in the 22 would be great.
"My main goal is to start games and play the whole game but it's such a good team and there's so much depth in each position that it's pretty hard these days."
Mauger called for a patient performance against Romania and an improvement on the 40-0 defeat of Scotland last weekend.
He believed that good option-taking and accuracy through phase play would see the game open up later in New Zealand's favour.
- NZPA
