Two years ago, the All Blacks going into a test series without Richie McCaw, Jerry Collins and Rodney So'oialo would have seemed about as likely as a middle-aged Edinburgh spinster taking the world by storm.
But it is about to happen.
Collins went overseas when his desire to wear the black jersey waned, while McCaw has a bung knee.
Now, time appears to be catching up with So'oialo, who has been rested for the first three tests of the year.
So with that trio out of the picture, the time has come for some other loose forward to put their hand up.
Jerome Kaino did it last year.
Who will it be this year?
New boy Tanerau Latimer gets the inside running for the openside flank role as he is the only pure No 7 in the side.
But his performance against a rampant Bulls side at Loftus Versfeld yesterday morning may not have been the performance the selectors had wanted a few hours before his name was read out.
The other four loose forwards named are all blindside flankers though all can play off the back of the scrum.
Sione Lauaki is discarded - or at least pushed to the Junior All Blacks - and Kaino will probably get the start from the back of the scrum at Carisbrook in the first test against the French in 12 days time.
Whatever loose forward combination takes the field, it will be a very inexperienced trio - Kaino with 15 tests is the most capped of the five loosies picked.
Otago's Adam Thomson deservedly retains his place, for if he was dropped - which was rumoured - it would have been tough as he had been the best player for the Highlanders in the Super 14.
He could be a starter as an openside flanker, especially on his home ground.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry also named Crusaders prop Wyatt Crockett, a former Otago Boys High School pupil, and former Highlanders lock Isaac Ross, who also plays for the Crusaders, as new caps in the squad.
"All three players have been in outstanding form in this year's Super 14 and we feel they are ready for the international stage. I want to congratulate all three on being selected for the All Blacks," Henry said.
Henry said So'oialo was suffering from a neck problem and after starting in 13 weeks of the Super 14 was in need of a break.
One of the hardest trainers in New Zealand rugby, the Hurricanes captain is expected to be back for the Tri-Nations, which starts next month.
Fullback Mils Muliaina will fill the captaincy shoes in place of McCaw and So'oialo, and has looked composed and strong at the back for the Chiefs.
He is also a world-class player, and there appear to be no worries among All Black chiefs about his captaining the team from the back.
"Mils is in the leaders group in the All Blacks. He has done a fantastic job as captain of the Chiefs and he has a great deal of respect and mana among his peers."
Hurricanes and Hawkes Bay lock Bryn Evans and Canterbury and Crusaders prop Owen Franks, who were named in the Junior All Blacks squad yesterday, will train with the wider All Blacks training squad as lock and prop cover.
Players not considered due to injury, apart from McCaw, are: Chiefs winger Sitiveni Sivivatu (shoulder), Blues lock Anthony Boric (toe), Crusaders halfback Andy Ellis (ribs), Crusaders hooker Corey Flynn (forearm), Hurricanes loose forward Scott Waldrom (back), and Dan Carter (Achilles).
The Highlanders have just two players in the team - halfback Jimmy Cowan is the other - while the Blues, despite finishing ninth in the Super 14, contribute eight players to the team, the most of any franchise.
The team will train for three days in Auckland, starting this Wednesday, before it gathers in Dunedin next Sunday to prepare for the first French test on June 13.
