The two livewire openside flankers, who have been getting all over the park in the first three games of the Otago season, have come into the national rankings and were not far off getting a call-up into the All Black squad to prepare for the test against Argentina this week.
All Black coach Steve Hansen updated media yesterday over injuries.
Regular starting flanker Sam Cane has passed all the concussion protocols since he left the field at Forsyth Barr Stadium on August 26 and is expected to be available for the test against Argentina this Saturday.
Blues and Auckland flanker Blake Gibson has been brought into the squad as a precaution to cover for Cane as regular back-up Matt Todd is out for four weeks because of a broken hand.
But Hansen told Fairfax Media it was a close-run thing between Gibson and the two Otago flankers.
``It came down to Blake and the two Otago boys, Lentjes and Hunt, but we just felt we would look at Blake this week and get some better information on him,'' he said.
``You can watch as many games as you like but having him in your training environment is good.
``We will, in time, probably have a look at the other two, as well.''
It is a real show of the level both Hunt and Lentjes have attained this season that they are mentioned as All Blacks.
Otago coach Cory Brown said it was great the two players were being looked at as they had been in great form for Otago so far this season.
They did not play traditional right and left flanker positions for Otago.
Brown said they would go on which flank suited their skill set in different parts of the field.
It is a rapid rise for Hunt, who started the 2017 season training with the Highlanders as injury cover.
However, he made the most of injuries to Shane Christie and Dan Pryor, followed by Lentjes going down with a dislocated elbow.
The surveying student ended up playing 12 games for the Highlanders and looked composed and strong in the Super Rugby side.
Hunt (22) started in 11 games and lost only once for the Highlanders so he must have done something well.
Lentjes (26) had an impressive season for Otago last year being one of the best in the blue and gold as the team made it all the way through to the Championship final.
His Super Rugby season was ruined by a dislocated elbow but he recovered to play at the business end of the season and has looked sharp for Otago.
He took a blow to his shoulder on Saturday which had him on his knees a couple of times but he should be right for this Sunday's game against Hawke's Bay in Napier.
Hansen also confirmed yesterday Wyatt Crockett and Ryan Crotty would be right for the test in New Plymouth on Saturday.
Highlanders winger Waisake Naholo received a blow to the head on Saturday night when playing for Taranaki and would not be available this Saturday.
Hansen said prop Owen Franks would have an operation on his Achilles on Friday and would miss the rest of the season.
No player had been brought into the All Black squad despite Naholo being out and fullback Ben Smith starting his sabbatical.