Henry Over To Watch Finau Maka

New Zealand coach Graham Henry
was
expected to watch Saturday’s European Cup semi-final between Toulouse
and
Biarritz with special interest on Saturday with the prospect of
finding
another All Black.
Tonga-born flanker Finau Maka grew up in New Zealand and played
for the
Hurricanes, Blues and Highlanders before being lured to France for
whom he
will become eligible in September after three years of residence.
Tonga have already asked Maka to report for Test matches in June
but he is
still weighing up his options.
“I’m really enjoying it in Toulouse and it would be great to
play for
France, as tremendous as pulling on an All Black jersey,” said
the 26-year-old.
France coach Bernard Laporte will be at Bordeaux on Saturday and
is keen to
rebuild his side for the 2007 Rugby World Cup France is staging.
Maka’s elder brother Isitolo, who also plays for Toulouse, won
four caps in
the New Zealand back row in 1998 when the All Blacks were looking for
a
successor to Zinzan Brooke before Jerry Collins solved the problem No
8
position.