With captain Tana Umaga ruled out of Friday's All Blacks' trial in Napier, Mils Muliaina the latest doubt for that game, and the New Zealand Maoris missing several established names to face Fiji in Suva the same day, the All Blacks appear to be scattered to the four winds.
Muliaina is in Auckland seeing a specialist for shoulder problems. Selected alongside Umaga in an experimental midfield, the incumbent All Blacks' fullback may join Umaga on the sidelines after the latter withdrew on Monday due, supposedly, to a bout of flu though perhaps to rest his damaged hand. Muliaina's Auckland Blues team-mate Sam Tuitupou has joined the Probables squad as cover.
Secondrow Ross Kennedy has been ruled out of the Possibles with a knee injury, with Highlander Tom Donnelly named to start in his place, while Crusaders centre Casey Laulala is a doubt. The latter and his Crusaders contingent of Scott Hamilton, Andrew Mehrtens, Campbell Johnstone, Kevin O'Neill, Tone Kopelani and Jamie Nutbrown joined their trial squads yesterday.
The Northampton-bound Carlos Spencer, in London for Martin Johnson's Testimonial, and Wayne Ormond, released to play for Bay of Plenty against the Lions, were not considered for the Fiji game while the Crusaders trio of Leon MacDonald, Rico Gear and Caleb Ralph are rested.
Hence, seven players will make their debut for New Zealand Maori on Friday: Neil Brew, Ross Filipo , Marty Holah, Angus MacDonald, Luke McAlister, Hayden Pedersen and Piri Weepu. Three other uncapped players - Daniel Braid (Auckland), Tamati Ellison (Wellington) and Thomas Waldrom (Wellington) - are on the bench.
NEW ZEALAND MAORI (v Fiji): S Paku (Wellington), H Pedersen (Otago), R Tipoki (North Harbour), L McAlister (North Harbour), N Brew (Otago), D Hill (Waikato), P Weepu (Wellington), A MacDonald (Auckland), M Holah (Waikato), J Gibbes (capt, Waikato), P Tito (Taranaki), R Filipo (Wellington), C Hayman (Otago), S Linklater (Waikato), D Manu (Waikato). Replacements: C Flynn (Canterbury), G Feek (Canterbury), T Waldrom (Wellington), D Braid (Auckland), C McGrath (North Harbour), R Flutey (Wellington), T Ellison (Wellington).
