THE PRESS, Christchurch Monday, May 28, 2012 SUPERSPORT B11

RUGBY Perenara too young for ABs – Hansen

Toby Robson cluded in the All Blacks’ Melbourne Cup do you? runs on the board,’’ Hansen I know a bit about players. Hansen after making his whether he has the desire and Hansen said. The other player wider training group that ‘‘He’s still an under-20 said. ‘‘We just need T J to We’ll do what’s right by him decision to stay, but said he his dream of being an All called in was hooker Youth is the only thing assembled in Wellington yes- player. There’s no doubt at keep doing what he’s doing, and the All Blacks.’’ wasn’t under any pressure Black is greater than going to Hika Elliot, who joins holding halfback terday. some point in his career if he get a bit of a training age and Yesterday, that included from the national selectors. Japan and clearly it is. and Keven T J Perenara back from a While not about to change continues to do what he’s when we let him loose I’m the return of wing Hosea The decision to bring Gear ‘‘We’ve always said if there Mealamu in the squad. national callup, according to his mind about the four doing he will play for the All sure we’ll see something Gear, who has put his passion into the squad to replace Cory are two people with similar Hansen said Mealamu’s All Blacks coach Steve Han- halfbacks already chosen, Blacks. special. for the black jersey before a Jane (ankle) was made before qualities and similar form injured calf was mending well sen. Hansen admitted he was as ‘‘Our job is to make sure ‘‘People don’t need to lucrative pay day in Japan. his two tries against the then the guy who is staying is but may not be right for the An outrageous behind-the- impressed as anyone by the it’s at the right time. panic, we know he’s a good Gear revealed he signed on Saturday night. going to get the reward and first test against Ireland in back pass against the Mel- 20-year-old’s recent form. ‘‘We have two other young player and we’re just being provisional papers to head Hansen made no apology we think that’s the right way Auckland on June 9. bourne Rebels has high- ‘‘I know everyone’s excited players [in Aaron Smith and patient. overseas before changing his for leaning towards players to go about it.’’ He said rake lighted Perenara’s unique about him because we are, but Tawera Kerr-Barlow] who are ‘‘He’s just a young 2-year- mind after a discussion with who were committed to New Gear got the nod over was unlucky but skill set. you don’t take, if you use playing particularly well and old, he’s just a colt and we his older brother, former All Zealand rugby. Hurricanes fullback Andre that his history of injury and Many feel the talented horse racing terminology, a a couple of older guys [Piri don’t need to rush him. I do Blacks wing Rico. ‘‘It’s not for us to tell him Taylor because the selectors age had counted against him. halfback should have been in- 2-year-old and start him in the Weepu and Andy Ellis] with [know a bit about horses] and Gear Jr ‘‘flicked a text’’ to what to do. He’s got to decide were after a specialist wing, Fairfax NZ Rugby needs to get role of TMO right

very week we get three tackles before a final further into the rugby Justin tackle and other nuances well Eseason, the more Marshall before the act of scoring, it’s fearful I’m becoming that a not going to work. There’s too major TMO controversy will much at stake to get it wrong. decide a showpiece match. Take the Sharks-Stormers I think we all agree the Comment match at the weekend. The advent of video technology TMO was called on to look at has improved major a Sharks try to Lwazi Mvovo. professional sport. The allowed to. He was only But instead of looking at the question has always been how permitted to rule on the act of grounding, which was OK but intrusive it should be. scoring, not what led up to it. needed checking, he only It seems to me that rugby That the All Blacks didn’t go ruled on whether the wing has a chance to get it right berserk is to their credit. But had stepped into touch three with the Television Match the fact the incident didn’t or four strides earlier. Official. It doesn’t right now – spark major and lengthy It made sense he checked and that’s proven just about controversy is instructive. both but in fact he only every weekend round of That was mainly because fair- seemed to check one – and . That’s minded spectators knew the even then he checked the one acknowledged by the move last pass to Cowan had been he’s not technically supposed announced earlier this month forward and the right result to check. by the IRB to review had been made, even if Later, the Stormers were expanding the powers the technically it had been done awarded a try off a blatantly TMO holds. A trial to allow wrongly. forward pass. the TMO to rule on incidents To me, this goes to the Think for a moment of the within the field of play that heart of how to get the TMO’s impact on the Sharks had have led to the scoring of a powers right. I am completely they also been denied the try, and foul play, will begin against him having the right earlier try by an action the in the northern hemisphere to go back any further than TMO is technically not in November and in our part one phase of play. Rugby allowed to take. That’s the of the world next February. league has this wrong. They level of confusion we Previously the TMO could will go right back to the play- currently have. We need to get only be called upon to rule on the-ball and dummy half pass, it right. the act of scoring. A big even if it was 99-metres at the The Highlanders are catalyst for the calls for other end of the field. This is becoming a ruthless and changes up north came after going too far. Likewise, if efficient team. Wales beat Ireland in the 2011 rugby’s TMO is given the Yes, the Blues were better Six Nations with a clearly power to go too far back in than they have been on illegal try awarded to Mike analysing a movement Saturday night but the final Phillips. The role the TMO leading to a try, we’re going to scoreline flattered them. The should play also came under make a rod for our backs. Highlanders were always in scrutiny last year when How far’s too far? In my control of the match. was correctly view, it has to be clear-cut like This is a good team that denied a try in the All Blacks’ the Cowan decision. The last knows what it has to do and loss to the Springboks in pass is sufficient. Likewise methodically goes about its South Africa because of a the last 3m-4m of a wing’s work. forward pass. sideline dancing run. Going Their performance at Eden The All Blacks had every back to the phase before the Park should give Highlanders reason to blow up big-time try to see if the halfback fans plenty of confidence Against the flow: Forward Tevita Mailau breaks through to score for the Blues against the Highlanders at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday night. Photo: GETTY IMAGES over the decision. knocked on the ball or not is ahead of the coming The referee had asked the going too far. weekend’s highly anticipated TMO to rule on the forward If the TMO starts looking southern derby against the pass when he wasn’t actually at breakdowns, the last two or Crusaders. Highlanders gear up for Crusaders

Matt Richens

Highlanders assistant coach Simon Culhane says unless his side can improve their ‘‘battling’’ set piece markedly, the Crusaders will run them off the park on Friday. The southerners sit on the edge of the playoff spots – just a point behind the sixth- placed Sharks – but Saturday night’s 27-20 win over the woeful Blues in Auckland hardly inspired confidence. On one hand, the High- landers were happy to come away with a rare five-point haul from Eden Park but they know repeats of Saturday’s performance will not be good enough to help them make their first Super playoffs since 2002. ‘‘We were pretty poor in some areas,’’ Culhane con- ceded. ‘‘I think our set piece was battling and we didn’t get any good ball to launch from.’’ The Highlanders were forced RUGBY LEAGUE to rely on counter-attack and broken play for their four tries and Culhane said unless the more structured side of Knights losing NRL battle their game – one of their strengths all season – returned, the Crusaders Wayne Bennett admits he ROUND 12 would monster them at AMI has no choice but to persist Stadium on Friday. with his under-performing Melbourne 34 (T Lowrie 2, B Slater 2, W Chambers, J O’Neill tries; G ‘‘In the back of your mind, stars after Newcastle’s NRL Widdop 5 goals) bt Brisbane 10 (J Reed, B Te’o tries; C Parker goal) at you know a lacklustre per- campaign slumped to a new AAMI Park. Referee: Tony Archer, Gerard Sutton. Crowd: 13,200. formance like that, against South Sydney 36 (G Inglis 2, D Taylor 2, D Farrell, J Hunt, B Lowe tries; low against Gold Coast. I Luke 3, A Reynolds goals) bt Raiders 18 (J Croker 2, R Robinson, J the powerful Crusaders side The Knights were Thompson tries; J Croker goal) at ANZ Stadium, Sydney. Referee: Chris that have probably got the expected to be one of the James, Ashley Klein. Crowd: 10,054. best set piece in the country, premiership frontrunners Gold Coast 24 (G Bird, D Mead, N Myles, M Srama tries; S Prince 4 will make for a long night. this season after appointing goals) bt Newcastle 14 (A McKinnon, T Roberts, A Uate tries; T Roberts ‘‘They’ll punish you if goal) at Hunter Stadium, Newcastle. Referee: Shayne Hayne, Alan Bennett as coach on a A$6 Shortall. Crowd: 15,792. you’re not good in those million five-year deal and St George Illawarra 14 (K Stanley 2, B Morris tries; J Soward goal) bt areas.’’ bringing stars Darius Boyd, Parramatta 12 (C McGuire, M Ryan tries; L Burt 2 goals) at WIN Jubilee It’s a big game for both Kade Snowden and Danny Oval, Sydney. Referee: Jared Maxwell, Tony De Las Heras. Crowd: sides; a loss to the High- Buderus to the club. 12,756. landers would likely see the However, the 24-14 defeat Penrith 22 (L Coote, G Daniela, L Lewis, B Tighe tries; L Walsh 3 goals) Crusaders drop out of the bt Manly 4 (D Whare try) at Centrebet Stadium, Sydney. Referee: Matt to the Titans on Saturday Cecchin, Gavin Reynolds. Crowd: 11,844. playoff spots and with games coming off the bye, Todd tight five, but needed to at That’s the way we look at it.’’ ‘‘If we can get it right, left Bennett’s side in 10th Wests Tigers 26 (T Moltzen 2, B Marshall, L Tuqiri tries; B Marshall 5 against the Hurricanes and Blackadder’s side will at least least give their backs a chance That didn’t mean a licence we’re not a bad side but if we spot on the ladder and with goals) bt North Queensland 18 (A Graham, G Hall, A Winterstein tries; Chiefs coming up after the be fresh. with some steady ball. ‘‘Tra- to throw the ball round care- don’t we’re average and a the lowest scoring attack in J Thurston 3 goals) at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney. international break, they risk Culhane said his side ditionally they score three or lessly, but a need to be accur- good team like the Crusaders the competition. AAP Referee: Ben Cummins, Brett Suttor. Crowd: 13,059. ending their 10-year streak of weren’t expecting to get four tries a game so you have ate and to make the most of will punish us if we’re not on Bye: Cronulla, Warriors. playing knockout rugby. But parity with the Crusaders’ to score more to beat them. every opportunity, he said. form.’’