All Black newcomer ready for close-up

NEW ZEALAND centre Conrad Smith expects little-known teenage All Black Isaia Toeava to begin his path to super-stardom at Murrayfield on Saturday.

The 19-year-old centre was the surprise selection for the tour, and few, other than ardent watchers of NPC champions Auckland or the World Sevens series, had seen him play.

Hurricanes midfielder Smith admitted Toeava, who will start at full-back against Scotland, was an unknown quantity even to the regular squad members when the tour began.

Ahead of Toeava’s debut, Smith told the stuff.co.nz website: “We have got to see what he can do at practice and he’s something special.

“We have been trying to make him feel comfortable in the team environment by treating him much the same this week as the previous couple to keep him level-headed. But he’s handling himself superbly and it will be exciting to play with him this weekend.”

Toeava’s selection took many by surprise. The timing meant he was overlooked by hometown franchise the Auckland Blues in the Super 14 draft, meaning he will play for the Wellington Hurricanes in 2006.

In moving to the capital, he became the first current All Black not to be selected by his local franchise.

A versatile back, Toeava has his eye on the pivotal inside centre role.

But the man who holds those positions for both the Hurricanes and the All Blacks could prove difficult to shift.

Toeava explained: “Tana Umaga has the spot covered at the moment so I’m happy to play anywhere they want me.

“I’m just going to play my own game. The whole team has been helping me out giving me tips. But I’m just going to play my own game.”

Meanwhile, Scotland full-back Chris Paterson is looking forward to a new career highlight when he takes to the field against New Zealand

The Edinburgh Gunners player, Scotland’s second-highest scorer behind Gavin Hastings with over 400 points, has become a mainstay in the dark blue jersey in a variety of positions since making his debut against Spain in the 1999 World Cup.

But Paterson, who also became the youngest Scotland player to win 50 caps last year at the age of 26 against South Africa, said: “Playing the All Blacks is the pinnacle of every Scotland player’s career.

“There’s a special link between Scotland and New Zealand and you are playing the best team in the world, undoubtedly.

“We are at home and there should be a special atmosphere so what more could you ask for as a player?

“A victory would come very high in what I’ve achieved in the game because obviously no Scottish team has ever beaten the All Blacks.