All Blacks: Who will miss the first cut of 2018?

Blessed with a stacked production line of form and proven back three finishers, the All Blacks will exclude some superb talent this June. And two who frequently starred on the international stage may miss the first cut of 2018.

Suggesting the number of outside back contenders has clocked double figures is no exaggeration. Solomon Alaimalo at the Chiefs has shone with his range of skills and comfort at wing and fullback.

Ben Lam, Super Rugby's leading try-scorer with nine, came from nowhere to upstage established All Blacks this season with his pace in particular pushing him into the frame.

But Lam is not yet the finished product and may need to continue knocking on the door.
That bracket may also include Tevita Li, who found his groove in Dunedin, and Julian Savea, with a spring in those 54-test legs, lingering on the fringe.

Then there's the comeback crew: Israel Dagg and Nehe Milner-Skudder. Anywhere in the world, both are sensational test players at peak fitness. Dagg is two gallops back, Milner-Skudder one of 23 minutes, but with the 33-man squad named on May 20, time is fast moving to prove influence even for players of such quality.

Jordie Barrett, Ben Smith and Rieko Ioane are probably considered locks, which leaves one, possibly two, spots to contest.

Space narrows further with it seemingly difficult to overlook Waisake Naholo given his finishing, offloading and strength over the ball. And then there's David Havili and Matt Duffie, two of last year's northern tourists. Stacked doesn't do this area justice.

The All Blacks may give 66-test veteran Dagg and Milner-Skudder, a fan favourite with the sharpest step in the game, more time. Like Kieran Read, there appears no need to rush progress.

Selections are never in isolation, with allowances made here to adjust for gains there. Last year, the All Blacks struggled to hold down a consistent, starting midfield and it is here they may feel cover is needed most.

Injury and suspension forced repeated changes to the midfield in 2017. Ryan Crotty and Sonny Bill Williams, the preferred pairing for now, are experienced but fragile. Ngani Laumape continues to press his claims as New Zealand's best second-five.

Jack Goodhue is a great long-term centre prospect, and Anton Lienert-Brown covers both. Including all, though, may come at the expense of the back three. Damian McKenzie, selected as a first-five, also brings back three versatility, having started 11 tests at fullback. Three first-fives, with Richie Mo'unga expected to recover from his broken jaw in time, and three halfbacks will probably be necessary to grow depth after Tawera Kerr-Barlow's departure and Lima Sopoaga's imminent exit.

Of the nines vying for the third spot, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi seems the most promising when compared with Mitchell Drummond and Augustine Pulu, the Blues captain who made his return via the bench on Saturday.

Chiefs hooker Nathan Harris and his partner are thought to be expecting a baby during the French series, which may necessitate the need to carry a third hooker. With Dane Coles and Asafo Aumua injured, the Highlanders' Liam Coltman and Hurricanes' Ricky Riccitelli will probably duke it out for the third spot.

Luke Romano's suspected high ankle sprain places his test career in doubt. But with Brodie Retallick back, the All Blacks may opt to juggle their locking numbers to make room for additional versatile loose forwards.

No Read, the skipper not being pushed too soon after back surgery, but even with Liam Squire expected to recover from his broken thumb, the All Blacks will require additional No 8s, likely to be in the form of Akira Ioane and Luke Whitelock, unless Ardie Savea is moved around loose forward roles again.

The propping stocks, while replenished somewhat, will almost all be underdone.

Owen Franks made an immediate impression with a powerful scrummaging performance in his return match for the Crusaders against the Sunwolves last week.

But Joe Moody, Nepo Laulala, Ofa Tu'ungafasi and Jeff Toomaga-Allen are all light on minutes, and Atu Moli and Kane Hames haven't been sighted, leaving only Tim Perry playing regularly.

Possible ABs squad

Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Owen Franks, Nepo Laulala, Joe Moody, Tim Perry, Codie Taylor, Nathan Harris, Liam Coltman, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu, Liam Squire, Sam Cane, Vaea Fifita, Akira Ioane, Ardie Savea, Luke Whitelock, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo'unga, Damian McKenzie, Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, Ngani Laumape, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, Ben Smith, Rieko Ioane, Waisake Naholo.