Whitcombe may get Test spot

Lions Tour: Darren Whitcombe, the 27-year-old Australian- born hooker who has had a back-up role to his Auckland Blues team-mate Keven Mealamu this season, may yet be a surprise starter in the first Test against the Lions tomorrow week after the former All Blacks captain Anton Oliver had his projected comeback delayed for at least a further week.

The chances of the influential Oliver appearing in the series at all must be remote. He sustained a torn calf playing with the Otago Highlanders against the Canterbury Crusaders.

If he misses out, it would be a significant blow for the All Blacks. Mindful of the Lions' physique in the front row, Graham Henry may well deduce that it would be more advisable to go with the bulkier Whitcombe, who was called into the 26-man squad yesterday, in the first Test, with the more dynamic Mealamu to be sprung from the bench.

"Anton arrived at the decision before we had," commented Henry yesterday. "He knows how his body is better than anyone. He's frustrated, but he's handling it very well. Anton is obviously out of the first Test."

Canterbury Crusaders number eight Mose Tuiali'i has also been ruled out, with a pinched nerve, but his replacement in the squad, Jono Gibbes, has been training with the All Blacks this week anyway.