Rugby: Hansen certain to put faith in injured players

Expect Waisake Naholo to be among the deserving new faces in the All Blacks squad. Photo / Getty Images

Several off-form stalwarts sure to have time to show form alongside new talent.

The surprise factor in tomorrow's All Black squad may be the number of out of touch established players who are being thrown a lifeline to prove they still have something to offer.

It is expected there will be new faces - deserved call ups for the likes of Waisake Naholo, James Broadhurst and Lima Sopoaga and there could also be room for Chiefs halfback Brad Webber, Crusaders prop Nepo Laulala and Hurricanes hybrid forward Blade Thompson.

The selectors will name 41 players and have three main aims with their selection: to leave themselves fully covered for the test against Samoa when players in the Super Rugby final won't be available; to build towards the World Cup and to also have one eye on next year when a number of senior players will have left or retired and a few others are likely to be playing Sevens.

The selectors are also likely to reveal they are keeping the World Cup door open for injured hooker Nathan Harris. The 24-year-old hasn't played since damaging his ankle against the USA last year but if he can prove his fitness before the end of August, he could still find himself on the plane to England.

That same door is also going to be held open for Cory Jane, Israel Dagg and Charles Piutau.

All have been affected by injury this year and delivered precious little good rugby - but all are expected to make the 41-man squad and be given the chance to rediscover their form.

Head coach Steve Hansen hasn't shown a willingness in the past to drop established All Blacks on the basis they have either been injured or haven't played well in Super Rugby.

Jane, Dagg and Piutau will be given game time over the next eight weeks to see if they can play their way into form and convince the selectors they are still international-class.

Being patient has worked well for Hansen in the past. In 2013, he was loyal to Aaron Smith who was horribly out of sorts in Super Rugby.

A few weeks with the All Blacks and Smith was transformed, which was much the same for Ma'a Nonu that year.

It won't be lost on Jane that he was in a similar position ahead of the last World Cup. He was a shadow of his usual self throughout Super Rugby and was only with the All Blacks in the pre-tournament tests because of injury to others. Presented with half a chance, though, he took it and went on to be one of the stars of the World Cup.

Crusaders openside Matt Todd may come into the slightly fortunate category too and be named in the 41 ahead of the in-form Ardie Savea. Todd was ranked number three openside behind Richie McCaw and Sam Cane last year.

Savea may have gone past him but the selectors will be happy to let the latter continue his development in the playoffs with the Hurricanes while they take a closer look at the former before reaching that conclusion.

Hika Elliot could be another with a claim to feeling a little put out.

The Chiefs hooker has been the form No2 in New Zealand but might find himself picked for the New Zealand Maori rather than the All Blacks.

Again, though, the World Cup door isn't shut to him as if Harris can't prove his fitness, Elliot may be the man the All Blacks call up.

Charlie Faumuina's future is a little uncertain as he's expected to have further scans on his neck this week to determine whether he needs surgery. If he does, then he'll almost certainly miss the World Cup.

Laulala is thought to be the man that will be called up if Faumuina is ruled out.

The All Blacks will operate with a 41-man squad for the test against Samoa, through the Rugby Championship and then announce the 31 they are taking to the World Cup at the end of August.