All Blacks: Tour cull a taste of future task

Cory Jane looks an automatic pick for the All Blacks after his form in the Tri-Nations tests. Photo / Greg Bowker

Graham Henry's whiteboard will be getting a great workout before the All Blacks' end-of-year tour.

Up to 25 names may be shuffled around as Henry, Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen sift backline contenders for the trip to Hong Kong and the Grand Slam quest.

When that team is announced, at least 10 candidates will have been culled."Some very good players are going to miss out," Henry said.

While rotation drew assorted reactions a few years ago, culling will be a far tougher concept for the All Blacks' panel to endure. It will be a snapshot of the task they may face leading into next year's World Cup.

The depth in the backs is significant. Henry and Co do not want to leave any senior players behind for this last collective foray before they disband until next July.

If they can squeeze Sitiveni Sivivatu, Richard Kahui, Isaia Toeava and Sonny Bill Williams into the mix, they will try.

Picking the forwards will not be as taxing. The loose forwards will provoke discussion and Andrew Hore's fitness will have an impact on the hooking choices. But the heat will be on the backline selections.

The All Blacks are taking 12 backs to Sydney for the next Bledisloe Cup test and will probably take 14 for the end-of-year expedition. Adding a repaired Daniel Carter and a third halfback such as Alby Mathewson would bump the quota up to the required number. Job done. Think again.

Especially with Sivivatu, Julian Savea, Ben Smith, Zac Guildford, Lelia Masaga, Kahui, Toeava, Robbie Fruean, Luke McAlister, Stephen Donald, Mike Delany, and not forgetting SBW, playing or about to resume rugby. Suddenly the dozen going across the Ditch next week do not look quite so assured of getting their boarding passes for the end of the year.

Those at risk? Colin Slade must be if Carter's recovery goes to schedule, while Benson Stanley has not been used since the June 26 test against Wales in Hamilton. Joe Rokocoko may be under pressure if cousin Siti passes a medical because Cory Jane is an automatic pick.

It may be that three halfbacks are seen as a luxury, with Cruden used as backup with the option to call for a replacement if there is an injury.

"We are going to have to give guys opportunities to play," Henry said about that trip.

In a 30-strong party if there were three hookers - Keven Mealamu, Andrew Hore and Corey Flynn - they all had to get games. "Otherwise they may as well stay at home, so we just have to get these guys to experience international rugby and this is their only chance."

After Sydney, the All Blacks have just nine more tests before the World Cup. Their collective agreement meant they were entitled to a fortnight break after Sydney and the understudies at least would have a three-week window to play in the ITM Cup.

Henry thought the Wallabies should have beaten the Springboks last week in Pretoria but missed their chance. They would want revenge tomorrow in Bloemfontein and would be up for the test in Sydney.

The All Blacks wanted to keep their 26 players together for that sortie rather than letting a few play some more provincial rugby.

Henry and his selection colleagues had been determined to return a strong All Blacks record after last year's troubles. They had won 14 tests in succession and played much better than Henry forecast six months ago.

"The benefits we are seeing now are the result of last year's Tri-Nations, when we hit rock-bottom and we had to re-establish ourselves, and I think the tour did that. The last test in Marseille was beyond my expectations."

Having captain Richie McCaw and Carter all the way through had also helped after injury interrupted their contributions last season. Their influence was immense and those in the leadership group had been involved strongly through the campaigns.