All Blacks: 'Special project' unlikely for 09 tour

Tanerau Latimer may be a contender for Richie McCaw's understudy in the upcoming All Blacks tour of Japan and Europe. Photo / Getty Images

Comments by Graham Henry suggest there is little chance a "special project" will be unveiled for the looming All Blacks tour to Japan and Europe.

Perhaps a new player or two but no one like the teenage wildcard selection of Isaia Toeava four years ago when the squad set off on their Grand Slam expedition.

There have been first-time tourists since. There was halfback Andy Ellis in 2006, Cory Jane, Hosea Gear, Liam Messam, Kieran Read, Scott Waldrom, Ben Franks and Jamie Mackintosh in the initial selection last year. When that voyage started there were 36 players chosen for the five-test, one tour game against Munster expedition.

This year however, it seems the global financial crunch and scrutiny from the New Zealand Rugby Union overlords will trim the party to between 32 and 34 players when it is announced in the middle of next month.

There is still time for ideas to alter and injury may also bite into original selection choices. But there will not be the level of new names who left with the side last season.

Henry's comments suggest he wants to mix and match the starting XVs as much as possible, that he wants to put out alternative sides each week to test depth of his playing resources.

He has pinpointed the test against France at Marseilles on November 28 as the toughest assignment and will already have worked back from there in assessing which players will be needed for the other matches.

After starting against the Wallabies and then Wales, the All Blacks then play Italy before England, France then the Barbarians.

While Italy are in the Six Nations and showed they are no pushover in Hamilton this year, Henry and Co are likely to pick that game, which falls conveniently in the middle of their programme, as one where they can use their alternative XV.

The All Blacks will take a seasoned squad with a couple of youngsters.

Who might the lucky few be?

Midfielder Tamati Ellison has been with the squad during the Tri-Nations and but for a leg injury, was being touted by the staff to make his debut in the last test against the Wallabies in Wellington.

If that were so, logic would suggest a fit Ellison would make the cut.

There are other bright young things like wing Zac Guildford, midfielder Robbie Fruean, five-eighths Aaron Cruden, loose forward Victor Vito and lock Josh Bekhuis but for them to be chosen, some of the more experienced players will have to be dropped.

Lock Ali Williams, hooker Keven Mealamu and centre Richard Kahui will all miss the trip as they continue to recover from their injuries while Bryan Evans seems to be in the same category.

There will be curiosity about whether Messam is included in the expanded loose forward mix when he was criticised and then dropped after the June internationals.

Can Lelia Masaga break into the touring party after his one test, can George Whitelock do the same as backup opensider to Richie McCaw, is there room for recovering former All Blacks Rudi Wulf, Ellis, Anthony Boric and Corey Flynn?

And what about a player like Colin Slade? Called in late to the extended Tri-Nations squad because of his utility talents at fullback, wing and five eighths, will that range of skill be useful to the tourists?

Identifying McCaw's understudy will be another task.

Adam Thomson got the first run this season but was then injured and both he and the All Black selectors have agreed his talents are much better suited to the blindside.

Tanerau Latimer was the next contender with two steady tests starts against France and Italy while Whitelock came off the bench in the latter international.

Since then, a recovered McCaw has played every minute of the six remaining tests.

His preferred deputy remains unclear while Waldrom has got into action again in the national championship but then been reinjured.

The signals from the All Black selectors are all about giving their squad another chance on this trip, that this is not the time to ditch some who have helped out in an awkward season.

Those in the backs under the most scrutiny will be some like Hosea Gear and Stephen Donald while Rodney So'oialo, Latimer, Jason Eaton, Tom Donnelly and Neemia Tialata should get the same inquisition in the pack.

Three halfbacks and three hookers will travel. It is hard to see anyone pushing past Jimmy Cowan, Brendon Leonard and Piri Weepu for the No 9 jerseys while Andrew Hore and Aled de Malmanche must be in the hooking department.

Hika Elliot went as an injury replacement last year but could yet be surpassed by Flynn, on his return from his fourth broken arm, for the vacancy left by Mealamu's injury.