Gear heralds emergence of the wide boys

All Black weakness at lock offers hope but tourists have it all to overcome

The All Blacks have such an embarrassment of riches in their backs that the two most prolific try-scoring Test wings since the World Cup - Doug Howlett and Joe Rokocoko - are unsure of their places against the Lions. There is, however, a straw of hope to be clutched at by the tourists, according to two Kiwi coaches with the inside track on Graham Henry's squad.

The All Blacks have such an embarrassment of riches in their backs that the two most prolific try-scoring Test wings since the World Cup - Doug Howlett and Joe Rokocoko - are unsure of their places against the Lions. There is, however, a straw of hope to be clutched at by the tourists, according to two Kiwi coaches with the inside track on Graham Henry's squad.

Both John Mitchell, Henry's immediate predecessor in the All Black job, and John Plumtree, whose Wellington side will be the Lions' opponents 10 days before the First Test, identify the second row as a possible New Zealand weakness. By contrast, the locking position is a strong one for the Lions, as they aim to starve their hosts' danger men of the ball.

"I can't see Graham Henry going for untested talent in the second row," said Plumtree. "That leaves Ali Williams alongside Chris Jack of the Crusaders, even though Ali had a six-week ban during the Super 12 that he could have done without."

Canterbury's Crusaders won the Super 12 final in Christchurch yesterday and are expected to provide around half of Henry's Test line-up, with Jack joined by Richie McCaw and Greg Somerville in the pack, and Justin Marshall, Dan Carter, Rico Gear and Aaron Mauger behind.

What was less anticipated was the dispatch of Rokocoko - who has 27 tries in 23 Tests since his debut against England two summers ago - to the Sevens squad after a so-so campaign with Auckland's Blues. Both he and Howlett (34 tries in 45 Tests) could yet feature in the All Blacks' solitary preparatory match against Fiji in Albany on 10 June. In the meantime Howlett is in the Probables side captained by Tana Umaga for the final trial in Napier next Friday while Rokocoko, however improbably, could be seen on this side of the world in the IRB Sevens in London and Paris. The Test squad to meet the Lions is announced on 12 June, the day after the Paris event concludes.

"Rokocoko suffered by the Blues' poor showing in Super 12," said Plumtree, who as Swansea's coach for four years oversaw the emergence of Gavin Henson. "I'd like to see him back but I'd certainly pick Rico Gear on one wing: he's a very balanced footballer with good speed and a good kicking game. Sitiveni Sivivatu has been getting good reviews but he frequently dips in and out of form. Caleb Ralph of the Crusaders has been playing well, then there's Howlett. And at full-back there's plenty of strength in Leon MacDonald, Mils Muliaina and, as cover, Nick Evans."

Mitchell is confident the All Blacks' tour to Europe last November, which included a 45-6 trouncing of France, will provide plenty of heart and cohesion as they pick up the pace again. "I think the All Blacks could get home 3-0 in the Tests," said Mitchell from Perth where he is preparing to be head coach to the new Australian Super 14 franchise. "Clearly they'll go in as favourites. The Lions are two years too young in some departments while experienced guys like Dallaglio and Back haven't been involved in Tests."

As a former assistant to Clive Woodward with England, Mitchell also believes his old boss will find it "very hard managing a lot of people in a huge squad". Mitchell aimed a barb at Henry for "leaving it a little long last year to play Dan Carter at 10, after about seven matches". Now the former Sale and Wasps coach is intrigued to learn whether Henry will deploy Umaga as a "direct" inside centre, or at No 13 with - Mitchell's preference - Mauger as a pivotal second five-eighth.

Plumtree is likely to be without two forwards required by the All Blacks but will have the Samoan flyer Lome Fa'atau as a spearhead when Wellington - also known as the Lions, incidentally - take on Woodward's men at a packed Westpac Stadium on 15 June. "We'll be pretty strong," said Plumtree, who has guided his side to the last two NPC finals. And what of the traditional softening-up role undertaken by midweek opposition? "It will all be pretty physical but you can't get away with the stuff you used to be able to," said Plumtree.

"You'd cop a six-week ban for illegal play soon enough. It's the highlight of the year for many of my guys and they know the Lions will be physical too. The Six Nations' Championship, Heineken Cup and Zurich Premiership are good competitions and this isn't a bunch of softies coming over here."

Plumtree says the style of play in the Tests may surprise a few pundits. "I don't think we'll see the Lions with a lot of driving line-outs and box-kicks. They'll need more of an all-round game, with the big guys working hard for 80 minutes. The All Blacks have developed a good kicking game, scoring tries by putting the ball in behind."

But if the rough stuff is supposedly off-limits, the Lions' lead-up to Test time is signposted with pitfalls. "The Bay of Plenty will be tough first-up," said Plumtree. "They made the NPC semi-finals last year. Taranaki? They have lost a couple of players but you always know you have been in a game when you leave New Plymouth. The match against the Maori will be like another Test match, and the Lions do not have a great history down in Otago. As for Southland: what they lack in talent they will make up for in other ways in the first 20 minutes."