Aaron Smith has given his back-ups very little time in the nine jersey. Photo / Greg Bowker
Hard to see how other halfbacks will get an opportunity to help defend World Cup title.
With just under 12 months to go until the World Cup, Aaron Smith is casting such a big shadow over the other halfbacks in the country it's hard to see how they will get a chance to convince the selectors they are up to featuring in the All Blacks' title defence.
TJ Perenara is Smith's back-up but has played only 12 minutes of the Rugby Championship, and most of those came on the wing against Australia at Eden Park. Tawera Kerr-Barlow, overtaken by Perenara this year, has recently had only the ITM Cup as a vehicle for pressing his case.
Unfortunately for those two, Smith, 25, is so good at what he does, and so integral in the All Blacks' game plan, that their opportunities are likely to remain limited.
The pair also have issues with their games. Perenara's pass is not thought to be up to scratch for the top level, and Kerr-Barlow's form has suffered since his demotion - probably because he is trying too hard to impress.
In fact, a case can easily be made for the return to the fold of veteran Andy Ellis, who is not even playing in New Zealand at the moment. Instead of representing Canterbury in the ITM Cup, he is playing for the Kobelco Steelers in Japan, but will return for the Crusaders in next year's Super Rugby competition.
The 30-year-old remains firmly in the All Blacks' frame despite not wearing the black jersey since the 2011 World Cup final. Ellis, an experienced and reliable campaigner, has the ability to slot straight into the breach should Smith be unavailable.
In assessing the halfback situation, which like hooker is probably the All Blacks' only weak spot in terms of depth, selector Grant Fox confirmed Ellis could yet play a role next year.
"We've got three young halfbacks, one who is really putting his hand up and the other two who still have a bit of work to do, but they're talented young men," Fox said.
"There might be a couple of older guys who have something to say about it form-wise next year, too. We haven't closed the door on the likes of an Andy Ellis at all.
"Next year we'll see what we think is the best mix for the World Cup."
For the selectors, there isn't a sense of time running out to test the mettle of their young No9s, despite there being only seven more tests this year and five next year before the global tournament in England and Wales.
They feel players such as Perenara are continuing to develop because they are in the All Black environment, even if they aren't getting game time.
The test against the United States in Chicago in November seems an obvious starting chance for Perenara, but there is an unwillingness to change things too much before the bigger tests against England, Scotland and Wales after that. The selectors are keen to replicate the World Cup where the All Blacks go from a test against Tonga into a sudden-death quarter-final, and besides which, Smith's bullet pass and sniping runs are so important, they are reluctant to start a test without him.
After making his debut against Ireland in 2012, Smith has been ever-present in the All Blacks. He has started in 31 of his 33 tests.
Life on the reserves bench for a halfback is tough at the top. Coaches are wary of clearing the bench in case of another injury. They would much rather Perenara, for example, went to wing than a loose forward. He was included in a match-day squad for the first time against Ireland in Dublin last year, but saw no game time, and his waiting is likely to continue. The selectors thought hard about starting him against Argentina in Napier before going with the status quo, and coach Steve Hansen said this week that the pressure exerted by the Boks in Wellington forced their hand again.
"We were planning on putting TJ on the other night but ... if he comes on and it doesn't work out for him you're going to do a lot of damage to his confidence. It just wasn't right."
Half a chance
Aaron Smith - Age: 25; test debut: v Ireland at Eden Park in 2012; tests: 33; starts: 31
TJ Perenara - Age: 22; test debut: v England at Eden Park in 2014; tests: 5; starts: 0
Tawera Kerr-Barlow - Age: 24; test debut: v Scotland at Murrayfield in 2012; tests: 14; starts: 1
Andy Ellis - Age: 30; test debut: v England at Twickenham in 2006; tests: 26; starts: 10