10 who have played their way into contention... and 10 who haven't

1. Ali Williams
Blues
A hamstring tear in the middle of the campaign left everyone, even Williams, wondering whether he would be able to haul his way back to All Black form. It has been a slog but he's getting there. The last few weeks have seen Williams become a significant factor at the lineout, kickoffs and around the fringes. He is back to making tackles that hurt defenders and his confidence has returned to encourage him to venture into space. He is timing his return to form superbly and if he can deliver at least one big performance in the playoffs, he'll be almost certain of a recall.

2. Aaron Smith
Highlanders
The courageous and combative Smith is one of those players who is noticed whenever he comes off the bench. He's been restricted mainly to cameo appearances but, each time he plays, he impresses. His pass is quick. He's gutsy, snappy on the break and he doesn't try to do too much. His is a pass that gives his first five that fraction more time and space in which to play and make decisions. Smith plays with an energy and awareness that is reminiscent of Will Genia.

3. Wyatt Crockett
Crusaders
There are some who will never forget Crockett's troubles in Milan two years ago and say he's never going to be test class. All he can do is play his best and hope he gets another chance to prove himself at the next level. He has been strong in the set piece, destructive even, carried the ball well and tackled hard. He has been a key part in making the Crusaders' front row fearsome and will have put enormous pressure on the selectors to pick him ahead of John Afoa.

4. Richard Kahui
Chiefs
The constant run of injuries suffered by Kahui have made it hard to remember what a towering defensive force he can be and how much composure and stability he brings. He was late returning from injury but has slowly built an impressive campaign. His tackling has been destructive and inspiring at times while he has showed an innate sense of timing with ball in hand and tidy micro skills. He would have loved a couple of playoff games to show his temperament under pressure but will have to rely on his previous test appearances.

5. Matt Todd
Crusaders
Started heroically and impressively before the constant game time caught up with him and took some edge off his performances. Some of the spark was back last week against the Blues when Todd and Luke Braid enjoyed a quality tussle that demonstrated depth at openside. He's excelled on the ground this year and carried the ball strongly. The selectors have gathered plenty of intelligence on him and will be thinking hard about whether he is the right man. He will probably miss out, as the final verdict will most likely be that someone like Adam Thomson can act as back-up openside.

6. Zac Guildford
Crusaders
In 2009, when rugby was all about kick and chase, Guildford came into his own. Now that rugby is veering that way again, Guildford is pushing hard for a recall. His pace has also been key to his resurgence. He might not be elusive nor hard to predict once he's in motion but he is quick enough for that not to matter. He's also been supreme at popping up in unusual places and his timing has been impeccable. He continues to be a better creator of tries rather than a scorer but he nabbed two against the Blues. If that strike rate can continue in the closing weeks, he's going to be hard to leave out.

7. Adam Thomson
Highlanders
Thomson was the form loose forward in the first month of Super Rugby - even Graham Henry acknowledged that. But, a bit like previous seasons, both Thomson and the Highlanders slipped away in the closing stages. Some of the energy and dynamism has been missing from Thomson's work in recent weeks but he still did plenty in the campaign to push himself to the verge of test selection. The biggest feature of his game this year has been his work rate and desire to get his hands on the ball. He stays involved; precisely what the selectors asked him to do.

8. Ben Smith
Highlanders
Smith has arguably been the form outside back of the season. He has been faultless at fullback and useful on the occasions he has been asked to play at second five. He is one of the best under the high ball, counter-attacks cleverly and effectively and has a strong kicking game. There has been little weakness in his game all season and, if his form has dipped in recent weeks, it's probably more to do with the general malaise of the Highlanders rather than anything specific. It would be a surprise if he doesn't make it given the likelihood of kick and chase prevailing in the test scene and his ability to play both wing and fullback.

9. Nasi Manu
Highlanders
Each week, this young No 8 has improved and added something extra to his game. He has relished the extended game time and shown himself to be mobile and enterprising, as well as tough and grafting. Genuine No 8s are thin on the ground and his preference to play off the back of the scrum rather than the side will have been noted. Needs some more polish and a touch more impact before he's test material but has taken giant steps towards it.

10. Jared Payne
Blues
Payne was hardly an unknown leading into this season, having operated solidly for both the Crusaders and Northland. The big difference this year is that he's won a regular place and grown in confidence as a result. Level-headed and prepared to bide his time on the ball, Payne has brought astute decision-making to the Blues midfield and accurate execution. He is stronger than he looks and plays others into space. He's also a gutsy and effective defender. The Blues would have been much less damaging without him.

1. Rene Ranger
Blues
He was the hottest property in Super Rugby last year with his incredible ability to turn nothing into something. That ability has rarely been seen this year - the odd flash at the start of the season and then a neat try against the Crusaders in Timaru before he blew his hamstring. He hasn't looked as confident or as certain, as if he is playing with conscious thoughts rather than running on instinct. With so many others in the back three in form, Ranger is a fair way down the pecking order now.

2. Tom Donnelly
Highlanders
Was starting to slip at the tail end of last season when it was clear Sam Whitelock was the fast-rising locking star. It was as if Donnelly, so organised and simple in the way he played, was hitting a wall. This season, he struggled to win game time after niggling injuries and his impact has been negligible. He hasn't dominated in the air or smashed into much. If he was clinging on to the fourth locking spot at the start of the campaign, he's been prised out of it now by Williams.

3. Cory Jane
Hurricanes
Has seen plenty of action in social media but sadly missing in action for the Hurricanes. Jane hasn't fired and will spend the next few weeks wondering whether he did enough in 2009 and 2010 to merit selection. It will be a reputation job and he knows it. He's obviously been in a poor head space trying to settle his future offshore and then dealing with tension in the Hurricanes camp. The strangest thing has been watching him make so many basic mistakes. He's a high quality operator and his inability to catch and pass this season has clearly eroded his confidence.

4. Benson Stanley
Blues
Squeezed his way into the All Black squad early last year when injuries were rife and did well. Held his pace for the Tri Nations until the walking wounded returned to oust him. Since then, he hasn't looked the same player - awkwardly out of form in the ITM Cup as a result of barely playing for months during the Tri Nations and then struggling with injury and non-selection this campaign. He's pulled off the occasional big hit - he bruised Sonny Bill Williams' hip - but has been a bit part figure.

5. Andrew Hore
Hurricanes
It's seemed as if Hore has All Black immunity; that his experience and previous form was going to carry him into the World Cup squad. But the All Black coaches will be a little edgy that divine status is being granted when Hore has appeared so short of conditioning. His fitness has struggled as a result of not playing 80 minutes each week; that grappling strength of his has rarely been seen. For much of the season, Hore has looked like a 33-year-old with not much driving him. Presumably, under the watchful eye of Graham Henry, Hore will sharpen up, find his conditioning and deliver the dynamic performances we all know he's capable of.

6. Neemia Tialata
Hurricanes
The big prop has shown an improved appetite for getting involved away from the set piece. The only problem with that is that it has shown how far behind the likes of Afoa, Crockett and the Franks brothers he is. He was, at one stage of the campaign, the Hurricanes' leading ball carrier - yet was somewhere near the bottom in terms of overall metres gained. The picture was clear. Tialata gets his hands on the ball a lot, makes one painful metre and goes to ground. His decision to head to Bayonne will probably also count against him, as the selectors have made it clear they want those who are backing themselves to be great All Blacks.

7. Stephen Donald
Chiefs
Everyone's favourite player to bag has been quiet rather than disastrous but, of those contending to back up Dan Carter, he's probably done the least to advance his cause. Aaron Cruden and Stephen Brett have been mixed - yet every game, they at least make contributions on the positive side. Donald hasn't really had any single game where he's been the controlling influence he wants to be. He hasn't won or lost games on his own - he just hasn't been that influential, maybe a greater setback than trying and failing spectacularly.

8. Daniel Braid
Blues
There has to be some heartfelt sympathy extended to Braid. This, of all seasons, was not the one to suffer a nasty neck injury. But he did and he has barely played; leaving him precious little time to force his way into the equation. Injury doesn't have to be catastrophic as everyone agrees the door remains open to Colin Slade. But his hopes have been bolstered by the fact no other first five has performed consistently well. Braid is in the less fortunate position of knowing that the selectors are debating using one of the backrow certainties such as Kieran Read or Adam Thomson as back-up openside.

9. Hika Elliot
Chiefs
Having made such a favourable impression on last season's end of year tour, Elliot hasn't quite looked the same player. He's been busy and determined but some of his ball retention has been poor and even his throwing, the strongest part of his game in recent seasons, has had a few wobbles. He hasn't so much gone backwards as tread water while Corey Flynn has been consistent at the Crusaders. No wonder Henry says there is robust debate about who should be the third All Blacks hooker.

10. Bryn Evans
Hurricanes
It is almost impossible to remember this bloke now - the quiet lock who was the surprise call-up to the All Blacks in 2009. The Hurricanes didn't rate him but the All Blacks did; believing he had the skills they were looking for. He won three test caps before injury took him out for the remainder of that season and he hasn't really been involved since at either Super Rugby or test level. Now he's off to Wasps as the Hurricanes have reminded him they don't think he can clean out or play the game they want. It has been a long and curious fall from grace.