News

Joseph not bowing to Henry

August 07 2009

Jamie Joseph has gone against New Zealand coach Graham Henry's wishes by leaving Cory Jane out of the Wellington side to play Hawke's Bay this weekend.

On return from South Africa Henry announced Luke McAlister (North Harbour), Brendon Leonard, Aled de Malmanche (both Waikato), John Afoa (Auckland), Bryn Evans (Hawke's Bay), Tanerau Latimer (Bay of Plenty) and Jane (Wellington) would be available for round two of the Air New Zealand Cup as he looked for the players to get game-time and restore some battered confidence before the must-win Test against Australia later this month.

While McAlister, Leonard, De Malmanche, Afoa, Evans and Latimer have all been welcomed back by their respective coaches, Lions boss Joseph has put provincial interests ahead of national ones and left Jane out of his squad for Saturday.

And the former All Blacks forward makes no apologies for doing so.

"My job is to prepare Wellington so that's what I'll always do," he said.

"I've got to do what's best for this team and if that means playing the All Blacks I will do that. But if it doesn't then clearly I won't.

"We just need to build our own team. I've got the job of winning rugby and keeping the Ranfurly Shield and it's hard to do that if you're making a lot of changes.

"We never really expected Cory to be available to be honest. It's more about me preparing a team to play against Hawke's Bay, Bay of Plenty, Auckland then Canterbury".

Joseph's stance will undoubtedly not please Henry and the Lions boss has hinted Piri Weepu, Rodney So'oialo and Neemia Tialata could get the same treatment as Jane when they return to training next week.

"It's a case-by-case basis. It's based on a lot of things. It's based on who they (All Blacks coaches) want to play rugby, who they want to give a rest to, who is injured, who's not and availability from our ranks," he added.

"You never know. You play against Hawke's Bay and you get injuries and then you're screaming out for help."