The cupboard is anything but bare. Cory Jane and Zac Guildford made the job for the All Black selectors even tougher on Saturday night, with both scoring twice as they helped the All Blacks to a hefty 40-7 win over the Springboks in Wellington.
Jane is only in the squad as injury cover for injured outside backs Hosea Gear, Isaia Toeava and Israel Dagg, but he made the most of his opportunity on Saturday night, running 50m to score his first try and then collecting a wide Jimmy Cowan pass to score in the second half.
Guildford scored his first test try when he got on the end of a Dan Carter break, and added another in the second spell when the Springboks wilted under pressure.
All Black coach Graham Henry mentioned after the game the duo could probably not have played better, and having too many players to pick from was probably a good position to be in.
Jane said he wanted to get involved as much as possible.
"We had a plan if they were going to kick it to us then we were really going to make them pay. I think we did that most times," he said.
Jane said he simply had to go out there and play well.
"It is going to be interesting to see what the selectors pick for next week, but it is always pleasing to have good performances.
"There is always more you can do."
Guildford said it was a special night to score his first test try.
"I was getting as bit panicky to not have scored by my sixth test. So it was more relief than anything," Guildford said.
"Fiji did not kick it to us last week and we knew South Africa would, so we thought just to get a bit of ball in our hand and have a crack."
Guildford said the crowded stocks in the outside backs meant players simply had to play well.
"It is what it is. We don't pick the team. We just need to go out there and play well and if we get picked then so be it. We can only control our only performance. We can't control what we can't control."
He had no idea whether he would get a run next week.
Guildford said he had had a good look at himself after being dropped from the All Blacks last year and got himself a clear head, simply concentrating on playing rugby.
Henry said it was much better to have too many options in the outside backs than not having enough.
"Both of them tonight played exceedingly well in all aspects of the game ... they could not do any more. They had big games.
"We've probably got nine guys going for six or five positions. So we've got some difficult decisions to make. But like I say, better that way than not having enough."
