Tough men face a tough challenge

Three are All Blacks, the other is one of New Zealand rugby's most respected leaders; three are forwards, one shares the duties. The men who will call the NPC semifinal shots are:


Xavier Rush - Auckland:




A lengthy chat this season with Zinzan Brooke was a crucial help to Xavier Rush before he took on the Auckland captaincy.

"It was all about how I should bring others into the team environment, how to get everyone on the same wavelength and what buttons to push," he recalls.

"Zinny was great in offering his knowledge and experience."

Leading teams is no novelty for the 25-year-old, who has captained his Marist club side, the national under-19s, Auckland and New Zealand Colts.

He did not aspire to the Auckland captaincy but was unperturbed when asked to move into the role.

"I do like being a captain. I think it helps my rugby game, it helps me play better."

There is extra pressure but that's a factor which works for the No 8, knowing he cannot ask or demand more from others in the side if he is not performing to high levels himself.

"It can be all I need for my motivation, it is the extra responsibility, it makes me more focused but at the same time not too wound up about what we are on about."

There is quite a bit of experience in the Auckland side and he talks regularly to Kees Meeuws and Carlos Spencer to work through tactics and make sure they are all heading in the same direction.

"There is a lot of buy-in in this side which reduces some of the pressure.

"But in the end I am the boss, I make the on-field decisions. This match with Canterbury will be about the biggest I have been involved in as a captain.

"It is too early to say whether we will be affected by the occasion but I don't think so, not by the way we have been preparing."


Deon Muir - Waikato:




For the past four seasons, there has been a familiar look when the Mooloo Men hit the park.

Only on rare occasions when injury has cut him down has the burly figure of Deon Muir been absent. His goatee-bearded face is a comforting sight for Waikato fans.

Tomorrow will be even more memorable for the 28-year-old Muir when he plays his 100th match for Waikato as they host Otago in the second NPC semifinal.

Muir's captaincy apprenticeship was substantial. The No 8 has been a leader for his club and the Super 12. He first captained NZ Maori in 1988 and his province in 1999.

Like Todd Blackadder, Muir inspires his men with deeds. If he senses the opposition are getting brittle he will lead the charge, if conditions are sloppy he will demand more ball security and show the way.

He has been sought by Japanese clubs but has ignored those offers to concentrate on his rugby in the Waikato and the hope that one day, he will break through to claim an All Black jersey.

It is one of the fascinations of the playoffs that Muir is being evaluated further by All Black coach John Mitchell, a former Waikato No 8 and captain who was much like Muir as a player and who was eventually an All Black.

That judgment becomes more intriguing tomorrow as Muir faces Otago No 8 Taine Randell, a former All Black skipper and one tipped to regain that honour for the tour.


Taine Randell - Otago:




Taine Randell. Utter the 27-year-old's name and you're guaranteed a reaction.

With Reuben Thorne injured and suggestions other leaders will be left behind for the next All Black tour, Randell has re-emerged as a choice for captain on the three-test trip.

In just over a fortnight we will know if he is to add to his 48 test caps and resume the captaincy he had for 19 tests until the 1999 World Cup defeat.

He has done the job for some time for Otago and the Highlanders, and is a very experienced leader.

"In terms of captaincy I am not too bothered by what people think anymore," he says.

"If I want to do something as captain, I'll do it. It wasn't always like that. I hadn't had much captaincy experience when I got the [All Blacks] job in 1998. Now I have plenty.

"I am a better captain now because I am a better player. And being a better player gives me the confidence to captain. I am not afraid to make decisions out there. They might not always be the right ones, but I enjoy leadership."

Randell is another of the No 8s who lead their sides. He is a mix of the skills Deon Muir and Xavier Rush bring to their play and leadership.

He knows when to take it easy on his side and when to crack the whip.

He is an organiser, a tactician, a planner, someone who works on the premise that skills are far more powerful than bulk and size.


Aaron Mauger - Canterbury:






Sometimes it just comes down to whether Aaron Mauger or Mark Hammett is ready to lead Canterbury onto the field. Whoever is prepared, grabs the ball and goes to the front of the red and black-jerseyed queue.

Mauger and Hammett have been co-captains all season in a system Canterbury have operated since the departure of Todd Blackadder.

"It does not work out on a week-by-week roster, it is not like that," Mauger explains. "And really, in this team, the leader is irrelevant. Everyone in this side knows what their job is and if it is me or 'Hammer' who leads the side out, we just have to be ourselves. It is not a hassle."

Mauger says that when he captains, he has to work just a little harder to lead by example. If he is not playing well it can have a slight impact on his leadership.

But the depth of experience in the All Black studded side helps reduce the pressure.

"Our best ideas are when we keep things simple, when we make sure we are all switched on and do the things we are supposed to without having to worry about other issues."

Mauger skippered the NZ Colts for several seasons and does not think captaincy affects his game.

"If I have to make a call I will do it.

"We had a bad start last week against Otago, we have not been good at starting all season and this time we want to rectify that against Auckland."