The All Black selectors named seven new caps, a fifth of the squad, in the side to tour the United Kingdom, which will stop off in Hong Kong on the way to play the Australians in a dead Bledisloe Cup rubber on Saturday.
There may be seven new boys but how many of them will actually get some time on the paddock is debatable.
The tour includes six games, with the major matches in Hong Kong, the Irish and Welsh tests, and the final test match against England.
The game against a spluttering Scotland, which begins the United Kingdom leg of the tour, and the midweek match against Munster, to celebrate 30 years since the Irish provincial side defeated the All Blacks on the 1978 Grand Slam tour, are the likely places for the new boys to get a run.
Taranaki flanker Scott Waldrom wins the spot to back up captain Richie McCaw on the openside flank, and may get a chance to start against Scotland.
Waldrom may be 28, considered too old a year or two ago by many, but All Blacks coach Graham Henry said yesterday Waldrom had impressed in the past weeks and had speed, which was always an asset.
Waldrom has benefited from Taranaki playing a more expansive game this season, and starting a run of games. Henry said his ability to get to the breakdown quickly was a real advantage.
Canterbury loose forward Kieran Read, who turned 23 yesterday, and Southland prop Jamie Mackintosh, also 23, have come through the national age group system, and All Black selection was a case of when, not if, for the duo, who both captain their respective provincial sides.
Wellington outside backs Hosea Gear and Cory Jane also make the step up, although how they impress may show how far, or how little, the standard of the Air New Zealand Cup has fallen.
The other two new caps are Waikato loose forward Liam Messam and Tasman prop Ben Franks, the latter the biggest surprise of the squad.
Franks (24) had flown under the radar for many, but he is big and mobile and will be specialising in the tighthead side on the tour.
Those to earn a recall are locks Jason Eaton and Ross Filipo, hooker Corey Flynn, and winger Joe Rokocoko.
The side, though, will call on experience for the key matches: Tony Woodcock, Ali Williams, skipper McCaw, Dan Carter, and Mils Muliaina.
They, along with players such as Andrew Hore, Piri Weepu, and Conrad Smith, will make or break the tour.
Henry said yesterday the tour was the biggest challenge the All Blacks had faced in the professional era - five tests on five consecutive Saturdays.
• All Black squad for Hong Kong and Grand Slam tour
Backs: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Joe Rokocoko, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Hosea Gear, Anthony Tuitavake, Richard Kahui, Conrad Smith, Isaia Toeava, Ma'a Nonu, Daniel Carter, Stephen Donald, Jimmy Cowan, Piri Weepu, Andy Ellis.
Forwards: Rodney So'oialo, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), Scott Waldrom, Liam Messam, Adam Thomson, Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Anthony Boric, Jason Eaton, Ross Filipo, Tony Woodcock, John Afoa, Neemia Tialata, Jamie Mackintosh, Ben Franks, Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu, Corey Flynn.
• Itinerary. -November 1 v Australia, Hong Kong; November 8 v Scotland, Murrayfield; November 15 v Ireland, Croke Park; November 18 v Munster, Thomond Park; November 22 v Wales, Millennium Stadium; November 29 v England, Twickenham.
