Codie Taylor leads an All Blacks haka against England. Photo: photosport
All Black squad naming
Midday, Monday 18 June
Coastal Rugby Club, Taranaki
Live blog updates on RNZ
We're only days away from NZ Rugby chairperson David Kirk takes to the podium to announce this year's first All Black squad. RNZ's Joe Porter and Jamie Wall will be at Coastal, the home club of the Barrett family, for the naming and weigh up the main issues here ahead of the big day.
Joe Porter's talking points
Extras
The biggest surprise last season was when we were introduced to Scott Robertson's first squad, only to watch Sam Cane, Josh Lord and Peter Lakai file in with them. None of them had initially been named, but it didn't matter as from that point onward they all were part of the All Blacks' campaign - particularly Cane, who went on to achieve the milestone of 100 tests.
So does this happen again this season? There are a number of positions that will require more than the usual amount of depth, so maybe we'll have to wait till the squad's assembly to actually find out the true depth.
Midfield mix
We've seen a lot of compelling cases from the country's midfielders, arguably mostly from Billy Proctor, to shake up the combination this year. It's likely that Jordie Barrett will go straight back in, but with France sending a low-strength side there will be room for some experimentation.
Billy Proctor. Photo: Abe Arredondo/Photosport
Proctor is gunning for Rieko Ioane's spot, but then there's also Quinn Tupaea's excellent form to consider too. Braydon Ennor has been starting every game for the Crusaders, but the big one is around Timoci Tavatavanawai and what he can potentially bring as a wrecking ball who can also shift to the wing if possible.
Loose forward puzzle
Most would agree that Du'Plessis Kirifi deserves his shot at test level. However, if you consider Ardie Savea and Wallace Sititi are guaranteed starters at number eight and blindside, it leaves the All Blacks with a comparatively diminutive back row and therefore less lineout options. Does that open the door for Luke Jacobson? Or will Ethan Blackadder's big work rate see him get the nod?
Jamie Wall's talking points
The race for the 10 jersey
We're really no wiser as to who will start at first five after two elite performances over the play-offs by Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie. But while one will obviously start, another big question is what role the other will play. Will Jordan is fit again and is a natural selection at fullback, so does that mean the 23 jersey or simply out of the match day squad entirely for either Barrett or McKenzie?
Then there's Ruben Love, whose stock as a utility went up massively thanks to a successful stint at 10 for the Hurricanes.
Beauden Barrett of the Blues tackled by Damian McKenzie of the Chiefs. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Mr Waterbottles
The third hooker and halfback spots are usually there to simply assist with training, however this season there are some interesting storylines. Ioane Moananu looked set for a deserved call up till George Bell returned from injury and took the Crusaders' bench role, you'd think Bell's experience last year will give him the inside running.
Meanwhile, Cam Roigard is almost certainly the starting halfback, it's a bit of an open field behind him. Like Bell, Noah Hotham returned to take back his spot from the impressive Kyle Preston. Then there's Cortez Ratima, Finlay Christie and Folau Fakatava to choose from.
Will there be room for the leavers?
Cane's surprise appearance last year was enough to draw gasps, but there probably won't be that much of a reaction if Mark Tele'a gets included. The winger's form has been consistent in an inconsistent Blues season and his status as a starter on the Northern Tour last season clearly shows the coaching staff's regard for him.
As to Joe's point above around an expanded squad, the precedent set by Cane and TJ Perenara's inclusion last year theoretically leaves the door open for anyone heading offshore. It'd be a pretty long shot to see the likes of Shaun Stevenson getting a call up, but if there are a run of injuries anything's on the table.
