Andrew Johnsen's All Blacks squad to face the Lions

Despite being a great goal-kicker, there is no room for a second out-and-out first five in the All Blacks squad, leaving Lima Sopoaga in the lurch. Photo/Photosport.nz

A third openside flanker, two first fives and an unsung front row hero. Those would be my recommendations for Steve Hansen ahead of the British and Irish Lions tour.

With the worries around injuries and a potential gutting of experience due to injury, the need for a bolter is none at this point

That means, despite all the hype, Jordie Barrett wouldn't crack my 33-man squad. Neither would the departing James Lowe, who has been criminally overlooked for the past two years.

Like all good rugby teams, it all starts in the pack for the All Blacks.

Five props should be enough for the three-match series.

Four select themselves - Owen Franks, Joe Moody, Charlie Faumuina and Wyatt Crockett - leaving one available slot.

Rather than going with Ofa Tu'ungafasi, who doesn't offer a whole lot other than playing both sides of the scrum, Hansen should select Kane Hames.

Hames has anchored an impressive Chiefs scrum all season and deserves another All Blacks call up.

Kane Hames has been in irrepressible form anchoring the Chiefs' scrum, cementing him a spot against the Lions. Photo/Getty Images

Hookers are a worry if Dane Coles doesn't recover from delayed concussion. Codie Taylor has been a great impact player but really it's daylight between the pair. Nathan Harris will take the third spot.

The locks, again, pick themselves. When you have arguably the best player in the world in Brodie Retallick, along with Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano and Scott Barrett, there isn't much wiggle room.

Having a third openside flanker is integral in a series with a Northern Hemisphere side priding themselves on an imposing pack, giving Matt Todd a deserved selection.

Todd is the second best starting seven in the country behind Sam Cane, offering a lot of similar skills to Richie McCaw.

There are worries again about Kieran Read, Jerome Kaino and Liam Squire being underdone for the series, but given their class they should be fine.

Ardie Savea is an automatic selection off the bench with his ability to cover both seven and eight (he should be the All Blacks' next eight after Read goes). Steven Luatua gets the last spot in the loose before he heads to England.

The inside backs are pretty simple to pick as well. Aaron Smith and TJ Perenara will battle it out for the starting halfback spot, while Tawera Kerr-Barlow is a more than handy third option.

Beauden Barrett is the best 10 in the world, and is incredibly well backed up by Aaron Cruden.

There's no place these days for two out and out first fives, meaning Lima Sopoaga would miss the cut.

Sopoaga is a great 10, there's no doubting that. But having more options in the back three is a must, leaving a toss up between him and Cruden.

Cruden's experience and previous crunch time kicking in the black strip gives him the edge.

This means a utility selection goes Damian McKenzie's way. With the ability to play both fullback and first five, coupled with his outstanding last three years at Super Rugby level and excellent goalkicking, he gets the nod.

He's the only "surprise" selection of the lot.

Damian McKenzie's stellar form at fullback plus the ability to cover first five lands him the utility spot. Photo/Getty Images

Ryan Crotty will no doubt partner up with Anton Lienert-Brown in the midfield. But that leaves two back-up spots that no one has really put their hand up for.

Sonny Bill Williams has been short on game time. Malakai Fekitoa has regressed from his early All Blacks appearances. George Moala is barely starting for the Blues and Rieko Ioane is a defensive liability. Ultimately on experience alone, SBW and Fekitoa garner selection.

The back three, without Nehe Milner-Skudder is simple enough. Ben Smith, Israel Dagg, Julian Savea and Waisake Naholo. If Milner-Skudder was fit, Naholo would drop out.

19 forwards, 14 backs. Warren Gatland should be shaking in his boots.

Backs: Ben Smith (Otago), Israel Dagg (Canterbury), Julian Savea (Wellington), Waisake Naholo (Taranaki), Damian McKenzie (Waikato), Ryan Crotty (Canterbury), Anton Lienert-Brown (Waikato), Sonny Bill Williams (Counties), Malakai Fekitoa (Auckland), Beauden Barrett (Taranaki), Aaron Cruden (Manawatu), Aaron Smith (Manawatu), TJ Perenara (Wellington), Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Waikato).

Forwards: Kieran Read (c) (Canterbury), Sam Cane (Bay of Plenty), Jerome Kaino (Auckland), Ardie Savea (Wellington), Matt Todd (Canterbury), Liam Squire (Tasman), Steven Luatua (Auckland), Brodie Retallick (Bay of Plenty), Sam Whitelock (Canterbury), Luke Romano (Canterbury), Scott Barrett (Taranaki), Owen Franks (Canterbury), Joe Moody (Canterbury), Charlie Faumuina (Auckland), Kane Hames (Tasman), Wyatt Crockett (Canterbury), Dane Coles (Wellington), Codie Taylor (Canterbury), Nathan Harris (Bay of Plenty).