KEY POINTS:
What must seem like an interminable wait for young forwards Scott Waldrom and Ben Franks will end this week when they make their All Blacks debuts against Munster.
When they run out on to Thomond Park, 23 days of training and anxiety will at some stage melt away
as they join the most famous rugby clan in the world.
That honour should also be granted to hooker Hika Elliot and halfback Alby Mathewson who joined the tour as replacements and are in the reserves.
There are other interesting choices on the bench and one intriguing exclusion.
Test fullback Mils Muliaina and lock Brad Thorn have been selected in the reserves. Both want more rugby and will clearly get some, while the omission of tyro in-form lock Anthony Boric suggests he may be saved to start the test against Wales.
Centre Richard Kahui, who had such a strong test against Scotland, has also been listed in the reserves which suggests he will get a brief run at some stage against Munster to keep him in trim for a likely start against Wales next weekend.
The other specialist centre in the squad, Conrad Smith, was subbed late in the 22-3 test win against Ireland because his groin injury had flared up again. That problem and Kahui's strong form suggests the Waikato man will be picked to start against hisformer provincial coach, Warren Gatland's Wales side.
There are comeback selections at lock for Jason Eaton and Ross Filipo who have both battled back into the national squad after serious injury while Joe Rokocoko is given another run to help get him into the best rugby trim after his long injury layoff.
Isaia Toeava has been asked to shift into second five-eighths for this match to give Ma'a Nonu a rest, while that also opens up the chance for Cory Jane and Anthony Tuitavake to be chosen in their preferred positions.
The All Blacks main injury concern after the latest win against Ireland was the health of premier loosehead prop Tony Woodcock who damaged his back. The staff were cautiously unspecific about the damage, with coach Graham Henry suggesting the prop may recover quickly.
He did appear in some discomfort though after being replaced in the Croke Park test where he also received a 10-minute spell in the sinbin for foul play. Woodcock has also been troubled for much of this season by a persistent foot injury.
The match against Munster has been arranged to commemorate the 30 years since the Irish club stunned the All Blacks by beating them 12-0 in their only defeat on the 1978 tour.
All Blacks
Cory Jane, Hosea Gear, Anthony Tuitavake, Isaia Toeava, Joe Rokocoko, Stephen Donald, Piri Weepu, Liam Messam, Scott Waldrom, Adam Thomson, Ross Filipo, Jason Eaton, Ben Franks, Corey Flynn, Jamie Mackintosh.
Reserves: Mils Muliaina, Richard Kahui, Alby Mathewson, Kieran Read, Brad Thorn, John Afoa, Hika Elliot.
