The first All Black squad of the season is announced tomorrow and should be one of few surprises. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn has a punt on who will make the cut.
One thing with the first All Black squad of 2018 is that there will be plenty to pick from.
All Black coach Steve Hansen used more than 50 players last year as injury and players heading overseas led to him drilling deep into player resources.
What that means is the pool is full to overflowing now of players who are contenders for this first All Black squad.
In the outside backs, it is a case of who to leave out.
Ben Lam has been in outstanding form for the Hurricanes and is the leading try-scorer in Super Rugby. But it appears hard for him to be picked with such quality in front of him.
Ben Smith will come back in and Jordie Barrett will also be there along with Nehe Milner-Skudder, Waisake Naholo and Rieko Ioane. Lam has been playing well but he is not any better than those who will make the cut. Julian Savea is playing better but one must wonder if his ship has sailed.
In the midfield, Jack Goodhue is flavour of the month for many but may still miss out.
People do rather fall in love with certain players and become blind to their inadequacies.
Goodhue looks a talented performer but, like many young players, is far from the complete package.
Sonny Bill Williams will head the midfield and, along with Ryan Crotty, should get the major share of game time.
The men in the No10 jerseys pick themselves while TJ Perenara and Aaron Smith are certainties at halfback. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi has done enough to get the third spot as Brad Weber has faded and no-one else has put hisr hand up.
With Kieran Read out, the loose forward picture is intriguing.
Luke Whitelock and Akira Ioane will share the No8 duties one would imagine though there are suggestions Ardie Savea could be at the back of the scrum.
The other loose forwards pick themselves.
Many seem lukewarm on Whitelock but he is a solid option and makes few mistakes. Coaches like those qualities.
Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick are automatic selections and, with Patrick Tuipulotu and Luke Romano both under injury clouds, the other two locks will be Scott Barrett and Vaea Fifita.
Tom Franklin is in many ways superior to both of them but they seem to have won favour from the men who matter.
Props have been dropping like flies and on the loosehead it is last man standing.
Joe Moody is around and Tim Perry could also get the nod. Ofa Tu’ugafasi can play both sides and Owen Franks and Jeff To’omaga-Allen should be the tighthead men.
With Dane Coles and the over-hyped Asafo Aumua both injured the hookers pick themselves and Liam Coltman should get the call-up. He has been in top form this year for the Highlanders.
Sam Whitelock will captain the side although the co-captaincy line may be pursued with Ben Smith sharing the role.
All Black squad
Possible
Ben Smith, Jordie Barrett, Waisake Naholo, Rieko Ioane, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ngani Laumape, Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo’unga, Damian McKenzie, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Akira Ioane, Liam Squire, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Matt Todd, Luke Whitelock, Sam Whitelock (captain), Brodie Retallick, Vaea Fifita, Scott Barrett, Owen Franks, Jeff To’omaga-Allen, Joe Moody, Tim Perry, Ofa Tu’ugafasi, Codie Taylor, Nathan Harris, Liam Coltman