The other element is the welcome shot in the arm the NPC will receive with at least four All Blacks to play in the early rounds of the competition that starts on August 6.
In naming his 36-man Rugby Championship squad yesterday, All Blacks coach Ian Foster largely continued with the same group that banked three victories over Tonga and Fiji this month.
The additions come in the form of Perenara, Blues prop Ofa Tuungafasi, Crusaders prop Joe Moody and centre Braydon Ennor and Hurricanes hooker Asafo Aumua.
While Tuungafasi is immediately available for selection after minor knee surgery, Foster indicated the others would spend time with their NPC sides before rejoining the All Blacks after the opening Bledisloe Cup test on August 7.
"The chance to take some players back through the NPC in those early couple of rounds is going to be really important for us," Foster said.
"Later on, once we get into the four tests in a row, we’ll still be looking to drop some players back to ensure they’re game-ready when needed."
Welcoming Perenara, the 69-test veteran, back into the squad was always the plan. Blues halfback Finlay Christie will remain with the All Blacks for the first Bledisloe while Perenara continues with Wellington.
"He’s an experienced international nine for us. He went to Japan for a reason and we gave him a clear work on there in terms of the speed to the ball and to make sure that part of his game was tracking well," Foster said.
With senior looseheads Tuungafasi and Moody returning, Foster singled out 22-year-old Highlanders and Southland prop de Groot — already developing something of a cult following — as the unluckiest to miss the cut.
Crusaders and Otago prop George Bower, having impressed against Fiji, will stay with the All Blacks until Moody proves his fitness following foot surgery.
"Joe Moody isn’t in line for a final clearance to get back into the heavy stuff until the end of this month, which means his reintroduction will definitely be through Canterbury.
"That enables us to keep George Bower. I would imagine Moods will probably need two or three rounds of NPC but we’ll have to wait and see on the medical report.
"Ethan de Groot is unlucky to miss out. He was very impressive. As a young prop, we’re delighted with his progress and I was really happy with his game on Saturday.
"While he’s missed out on this particular squad, we certainly believe there’s going to be ample opportunity for him later this year."
Taukei’aho will, however, remain with the All Blacks while Aumua plays for Wellington in his return from the concussion he suffered in the opening test against Tonga.
Ennor was named in the original 36-man squad but did not feature after undergoing emergency appendicitis surgery. He, too, will play several games for Canterbury before stepping up to the test arena.
The All Blacks assemble for a camp in Christchurch next week when preparations for the Bledisloe Cup will begin.
"We know we’ve got some big challenges ahead but we’re excited by it. With four tests in a row in September and likely five in a row on an end-of-year tour, it’s meant we really do need everyone contributing."
All Blacks
Rugby Championship squad
Forwards: Asafo Aumua, Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Nepo Laulala, Tyrel Lomax, Joe
Moody, Angus Ta’avao, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi, Scott Barrett, Brodie
Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa’i, Samuel Whitelock, Ethan Blackadder,
Shannon Frizell, Akira Ioane, Luke Jacobson, Dalton Papalii, Ardie Savea, Hoskins
Sotutu.
Backs: TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Brad Weber, Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo’unga,
Braydon Ennor, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie
Barrett, George Bridge, Will Jordan, Damian McKenzie, Sevu Reece.
