There have been very few occasions in the 101-year history of New Zealand league when there have been 17 world-class, injury and suspension-free players available for selection to the national team with depth left over.
That's the case ahead of the May 8 test against Australia at Suncorp Stadium. The
decisions for coach Stephen Kearney and the selectors Darrell Williams, Tony Kemp and convener Howie Tamati are where to play some of their talent.
Who will be halfback? There are options - Nathan Fien obviously, after steering the side to the World Cup. He would be my choice despite not reaching the same form this season, probably because of the uncertainty surrounding his expressed desire to stay in Auckland. No father of two children likes being in limbo in terms of feeding them.
But it would not surprise if Fien flourished in the Kiwis environment. He's tough defensively, he provides good service and the kicking game can largely be handled by Benji Marshall outside him.
They could use Marshall, who plays in seven for the Tigers. But how much better can he be at six, with just that much more time and space? And if he's half, who is five-eighth?
They could use Lance Hohaia there but who would then bring the amazing impact he does from the bench? And Hohaia is the ideal utility to have on the interchange given he can cover halfback, five-eighth, fullback and centre as well as relieve the hooker at dummy-half.
And for all those reasons I would prefer Sam Perrett at fullback over Hohaia - Perrett is playing well there for the Roosters and has test experience.
The Kiwis are blessed for in-form props with Souths skipper Roy Asotasi, Melbourne's Jeff Lima and Adam Blair all at the peak of their powers. Eels prop and 2007 Kiwi Fuifui Moimoi is playing well in a losing team. Warrior Russel Packer is a future Kiwi for sure but 2009 may be too early.
Souths' Isaac Luke is a sitter for hooker. Simon Mannering and Frank Pritchard will be the second rowers and they and likely lock Jeremy Smith bring imposing and faultless defence.
The centres will be Jerome Ropati and Steve Matai and outside them Ropati will have his Warriors partner Manu Vatuvei, 2008 international winger of the year, while the Tigers' 105kg block Taniela Tuiaki has regained the form that saw him selected in 2007 and should be back ahead of Jason Nightingale, who has not seen regular game-time.
Asotasi has to be the skipper again, resuming the job he did in 2007 after injury kept him out of the World Cup. He did nothing wrong during his stewardship and is in top form.
Jeremy Smith, 29, is a valuable vice-captain.
Goalkicker? Matai, Luke, Hohaia and Marshall all kick but Marshall is his club's regular boot so should get the nod.
LIKELY LINEUP
Peter Jessup's Kiwis team:
Sam Perrett, Taniela Tuiaki, Steve Matai, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, Benji Marshall, Jeff Lima, Isaac Luke, Roy Asotasi (c), Simon Mannering, Frank Pritchard, Jeremy Smith (vc): interchange Lance Hohaia, Adam Blair, David Fa'alogo, Greg Eastwood.
Others in the frame
Bronson Harrison (Raiders), Iosaia Soliola (Roosters), Ben Roberts (Bulldogs). Plus the Super League pair Thomas Leuluai (Wigan) and Brent Webb (Leeds).
Unlikely
Future prospects Junior Sau (Knights), Ben Matulino and Russell Packer (Warriors), Jason Nightingale (Dragons, not getting enough game-time), Setiamata Sa and Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Roosters) and Krisnan Inu (Eels, not showing enough form).
Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney has plenty of in-form players at his disposal. Photo / Getty Images
There have been very few occasions in the 101-year history of New Zealand league when there have been 17 world-class, injury and suspension-free players available for selection to the national team with depth left over.
That's the case ahead of the May 8 test against Australia at Suncorp Stadium. The
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