News

All Blacks demoted to Wellington B

August 11 2009

Wellington Lions coach Jamie Joseph's tough stance on keeping his young side together without the disruption of a swag of All Blacks coming in at the last minute, will continue against Bay of Plenty in Rotorua on Saturday.

Number eight Rodney So'oialo is the only New Zealand international in the mix for Wellington's Air New Zealand Cup game against the Steamers.

Piri Weepu, Cory Jane, Neemia Tialata and possibly Conrad Smith will instead turn out for the Wellington B side against Horowhenua-Kapiti with Joseph sticking to his policy of not automatically picking All Blacks released back to their provinces.

So'oialo is in contention because of injuries to loose forwards Faifili Levave and Serge Lilo. Openside flanker Scott Fuglistaller also missed training on Tuesday with flu.

While his stance has raised a few eyebrows Joseph is unrepentant.

"When you are trying to build a rugby team and you have guys coming for one training before big matches it's impossible," the former All Blacks forward said.

"It's hard to do that anyway when we're training every day let alone when they are coming in and out again."

"The players understand where I'm coming from with regards to building this team but are obviously frustrated that they can't play as well."