Mcleod backs dropped All Black

It’s been an emotional couple of days for dropped All Black Malakai Fekitoa.

Unwanted by All Blacks coach Steve Hansen for the looming threematch test series against the British and Irish Lions, Fekitoa was ‘‘hugely disappointed’’ when his name wasn’t called, Highlanders assistant coach Scott Mcleod said.

But Mcleod, who has taken over the head coaching role from Tony Brown for the Highlanders’ historic match against the Lions in Dunedin tomorrow night, is backing him to bounce back.

The 23-capped All Black will start the match at centre, while All Blacks Lima Sopoaga and Waisake Naholo are also in the run-on side.

‘‘He [Fekitoa] puts a hell of a lot of emotion into trying to get better and be the best,’’ Mcleod said.

‘‘So when you get dropped from a team that you dearly love and that you’re trying to be in, it’s a really emotional time for him.

‘‘He’s taken a couple of days, as you would.

‘‘What I think you will see, hopefully, is that he has the team forefront in the way he wants to perform and play for the boys.’’

While there’s no doubt Fekitoa’s defence is top-notch, there have been doubts cast over his attacking ability and his error rate.

Earlier this season, Fekitoa admitted he was working hard on improving his footwork, handling and passing.

Fekitoa was overlooked in favour

of Hurricanes midfielder Ngani Laumape by Hansen, while Crusaders rookie Jack Goodhue got the nod as injury cover.

When Fekitoa’s name wasn’t called on Thursday, Mcleod admitted he was surprised.

‘‘Yep, so he has been in the side for a few years now and he’s always performed really well for them,’’ he said.

‘‘In the past, the All Blacks have always picked those players on that and what they’ve done for that side. His defence has been outstanding this year.

‘‘I guess the way we use him is a little bit different perhaps to the way the All Blacks want to use him in terms of those attacking skills.

‘‘He’s just got to grow and learn what they’re after in that area and perform.’’

Fekitoa is off-contract at the end of the year and could be tempted to head overseas if he can’t make his way back into the national side.

He admitted earlier this season there had been interest from cashed up overseas clubs.

But Mcleod, when asked if he was concerned Fekitoa would leave, said the midfielder was only concentrating on the short term.

In addition to not having the injured Matt Faddes (broken hand) available on Tuesday, three All Blacks - Ben Smith, Aaron Smith and Liam Squire - will sit out the match.

Five New Zealand Maori players locks Joe Wheeler and Tom Franklin, hooker Ash Dixon, loose forward Elliot Dixon and midfield back Rob Thompson - are also unavailable.

Mcleod, who is filling in for Brown while the latter temporarily starts his assistant coaching gig with Japan, said the Highlanders had learnt ‘‘a hell of a lot’’ from watching the Lions beat the Crusaders 12-3 in Christchurch on Saturday night.

‘‘The Crusaders have been quite dominant in their attacking form and the Lions completely shut them down from set piece right through to their phase play and held them tryless, which hasn’t happened in quite a while.’’