By WYNNE GRAY
Near the end of the Tri-Nations series last year, the conversation turned to the depth of first five-eighth talent in New Zealand.
Chatting with All Black assistant coach Robbie Deans helped pass some of the long flight to Durban where the All Blacks beat the Springboks to take the Tri-Nations title.
My curiosity about the longevity of Andrew Mehrtens and what then seemed like a dearth of strong backup prompted an inquiry.
Deans was in no doubt about the promise and class of a youngster, Daniel Carter.
He had watched him a fair bit, he said, and thought he had the quality to make it to the top.
Good naturedly, I chipped him, suggesting the rugby world did not start and end in red and black country.
But Deans was serious, and delivered a few more impressions about Carter's ability.
The information was a useful pointer as Carter made his way on to the NPC scene last year and then into the Super 12 this season.
Similar messages came from New Zealand Colts coach Bryce Woodward after Carter starred in the under-21 tournament in South Africa.
"Daniel has a really good attitude to hard work," Woodward said.
"He will analyse things the longest and hardest and when he is asked to improve something he sets to it.
"I thought his improvement from the start of the year to the end of the season was huge."
The whole Carter rugby story is impressive. He was playing halfback four years ago and switched to five-eighths only for a trial. He made the Canterbury Secondary Schools side and has never played halfback again.
Carter's inclusion - and that of other youngsters such as Ma'a Nonu, Mils Muliaina and Joe Rokocoko - in the All Blacks opening squad reflects well on their talent and the boldness of the selectors.
Amateur selection, as indulged in by the entire nation, is often an emotive exercise.
Some All Black coaches have also struggled with the emotions of selection. They have been overly loyal to players who have served them well, finding excuses for those who are battling for form but with whom they feel a bond.
But in the professional era, coaches know they have to be more ruthless about their selections.
They have to pick players when their star is brightest even if that brilliance is only brief.
To paraphrase All Black coach John Mitchell during his first press conference of the season, the game evolves so rapidly that selection must keep pace.
The Three Wise Men went for the young shooting stars, ones who might keep glowing until the World Cup but can be tested thoroughly beforehand.
They also shelved falling stars such as Christian Cullen, Andrew Mehrtens and Taine Randell, whose aura they felt had dimmed. It would have been difficult, but the TWM had to eliminate sentiment.
We all have our versions of who should be in the squad, and there must be room for close scrutiny of all players during the tests against England, Wales and France.
Mitchell and selector Mark Shaw were pedigree loose forwards who know what they are looking for in their back row combinations.
Selector Kieran Crowley was a strong fullback who will have definite ideas on that position.
They will also have a game plan, progress they want to achieve in the first part of the season, and areas in which they want to develop the skills of certain players.
So while we have our ideas, now is the time to wait and watch the schemes of those who made the choices.
Mitchell has urged patience from the rugby public, telling it not to equate Super 12 success with immediate international supremacy.
The hype in this World Cup year will be immense and inevitable, but the tournament is still more than four months away.
Remember the huge expectations in 1999 - and some of the deplorable aftermath.
"As All Blacks, we've probably made mistakes where we've got a little bit ahead of ourselves in World Cup year," Mitchell said.
We could all learn from that - the media, supporters, sponsors and anyone else with an interest in the All Blacks.
All Blacks test schedule/scoreboard
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