Greg Somerville will play his last test at home for the All Blacks on Wednesday night and he could be playing his last test when they tackle the Wallabies in Brisbane next week.

Somerville joins English club Gloucester at the end of the year and said yesterday that he was unsure if he would be available for the tour to Hong Kong, Britain and Ireland in November.

"That's something I'm still talking to the rugby union about. We're working things through."

Somerville wouldn't say what his preference was, which could suggest he sees only two more caps being added to his 63, a record for an All Blacks prop.

The cupboard is not bare at prop, with John Afoa and Neemia Tialata already in the squad and Ben Franks an almost permanent part of the furniture as injury cover.

If the November tour is, as the coaches have said it is, a chance to bring players through, then Somerville might be out of place.

Somerville, 30, who made his debut in the 102-0 thrashing of Tonga in 2000, is the only current All Black who played against Samoa in the 50-6 hiding delivered in Albany in 2001.

Skipper Richie McCaw made his debut against Ireland later that year, while others such as Ali Williams and Andrew Hore came into the All Blacks in Europe a year later.

Somerville was surprised he was the only survivor from the last Samoa test and philosophical about a game few think will do justice to the label "test" as Samoa's best players are plying their trade in Europe.

Ever the pragmatist, Somerville said the All Blacks needed a game before they play Australia next week so they had to make the most of the chance Samoa offered. "It's better than no game."

He was just as grounded when quizzed on the effect Australia's 45-point loss to South Africa on Sunday would have on what is now the Tri-Nations final in Brisbane.

His response could be summed up as "none", though he elaborated on that by suggesting his former Crusaders coach Robbie Deans would get the Wallabies back on track quickly.

Somerville said Deans would force the Wallabies to be honest about how they had prepared for the 53-8 debacle at Ellis Park, then move on. "There won't be any hangover from it. They will be a lot better against us."