Otago lock Tom Donnelly has been called into the All Blacks training squad and his chance to make a test debut appears to depend on the seriousness of an injury to fellow lock Bryan Evans.
Otago loose forward Adam Thomson has not been asked to rejoin the All Black squad for a training run in Auckland tomorrow.
But, in no great surprise, All Black coach Graham Henry has summoned playmaker Dan Carter to the camp tomorrow, and the Canterbury first five-eighth looks a certainty to start the Tri-Nations test against Australia in Sydney on August 22.
Donnelly (27) has been on the fringes of the All Black scene over the past few years, but has never worn the All Black jersey.
He was selected for the Junior All Blacks in 2006, and again in 2007.
In 2008, when there was no Junior All Blacks side, he was picked for a wider All Black training squad to train after the end of the round robin of the Super 14 but did not make the final cut.
Originally from Rotorua, Donnelly was selected for the Junior All Blacks again this year for the Pacific Nations Cup, where he impressed, as the side won all its games.
But when the selectors wanted a replacement for the injured Ali Williams they decided to pick Taranaki lock Jason Eaton, who travelled to South Africa.
But Eaton hardly covered himself with glory, making little impact off the bench.
Donnelly, who is now registered with the Matakanui club after originally playing for Otago University, has been playing well in the first two games of the Air New Zealand Cup, and appears to have pushed ahead of Wellington lock Jeremy Thrush in national contention.
He has been called into the training camp tomorrow to cover for Evans, who suffered pain in his back and leg last Friday as Hawkes Bay prepared to play Wellington the next day.
He subsequently pulled out of that match.
Evans was due to have a scan on the injuries yesterday and All Black doctor Deb Robinson said the scan would hopefully reveal the long-term prognosis for the lock, who has had a rapid rise into the national jersey.
Having played 54 games for Otago, Donnelly is an experienced player and his ability at line-out time will be appreciated by the All Black selectors.
Carter's return was always on the cards, especially after he came through 80 minutes against Auckland at Eden Park on Saturday night, scoring all of Canterbury's points.
His return should lift the confidence of a backline which has been a shadow of last year's polished unit.
Henry had spoken to Carter and said he was keen to return.
"He is a key member of the All Blacks, has recovered well from his injury and has made a great return to rugby so now is the right time to bring him back into the squad," Henry said.
Carter will still play for Canterbury against Waikato on Friday night.
Thomson (27) has recovered from the hand injury he suffered in the test against France in June but has not won a recall, and appears to have been crowded out of the loose forward picture.
Wellington midfield back Tamati Ellison, who has been with the squad as cover, will also be at the camp, along with utility back Isaia Toeava, who is recovering from a stress fracture in his foot.
The rest of the squad which travelled to Africa will be at the camp.
The 26-strong squad to travel to Sydney will be finalised on Saturday.
