All Blacks v Wales: Big four battle it out to run the All Black ship

Who is the All Blacks top number 10? Photos/ Getty Images

Gregor Paul and Patrick McKendry give their verdicts on what they would do if they were selecting the team this week and what they believe the selectors will do.

For the first time this season, the All Blacks have four fully fit, match-conditioned first-fives to choose from to play Wales.

Daniel Carter, Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett and Colin Slade ... it's a tough choice for the selectors.

Head coach Steve Hansen said on arrival in Cardiff: "The hardest part is which one to leave out because we have got four really good ones. They are all in good form. Obviously Dan is behind the eight ball in terms of game time but he's a world-class player. Crudes has proven he can do the job and Barrett and Slade have both been very good so it will be more about who we leave out and who we put in."

Aaron Cruden

Cruden stats
Starts on tour: 2
Minutes on tour: 105
Points: 13
Goal-kicking rating: 4/10
Form rating: 7/10.

Would you pick him?
Gregor Paul: No. The rationale is that he's been just a fraction short of his best all season and it may have long-term benefits to leave him a bit miffed and hungry over the summer. His goal-kicking hasn't been good enough in recent tests and a summer spent working on that will should see him storm back next year.

Patrick McKendry: Yes. Goal-kicking aside, Cruden was pretty tidy at Twickenham. He showed guts and determination in running into heavy traffic to score his try and should be given another go at the Millennium Stadium. As for the goal-kicking, apparently a few sessions of physio have done wonders in freeing up his right leg and re-calibrating his radar.

Will the selectors pick him?

Gregor Paul: Gut feel is not. The goal-kicking thing will be troubling them and they probably feel that having said Barrett had his nose in front in Brisbane, nothing has happened to change that. Cruden may miss out on the 23.

Patrick McKendry: Possibly. I don't think Carter has played enough rugby to start a blood and thunder test against Wales.

Dan Carter

Carter stats
Starts on tour: 1
Minutes on tour: 85
Points: 15
Goal-kicking rating: 6.5/10
Form rating: 5/10

Would you pick him?

Gregor Paul: No, not for this one. His lack of football showed in Edinburgh and while he got better, he's not in the sort of form he needs to be to play a team as good as Wales. Carter said himself, he needs a run of six or seven games next year to get back into the groove.

Patrick McKendry: No, too risky. The All Blacks must take the field with their best line-up and Carter isn't quite there yet.

Will the selectors pick him?

Gregor Paul: They will be tempted because form is temporary, class is permanent. But Wales are a good side and Carter's development has to be secondary to winning the test. It would be a significant risk to start him and because of his lack of football, he'd struggle to make an impact off the bench. They probably won't include him in the 23.

Patrick McKendry: I agree. Another week's intensive training will be beneficial and then he must look to the start of Super Rugby in order to play his way back into form. He looked good this year when coming back from his Achilles injury and easily has the ability to replicate that next year.

Beauden Barrett

Barrett stats
Starts on tour: 0
Minutes on tour: 25
Points: 3
Goal-kicking rating: 5/10
Form rating: 7/10.

Would you pick him?

Gregor Paul: Yes. He's barely featured on this tour and is determined to make an impression. He looks sharp in training, he's always relaxed and the game is likely to be fast and open - Wales play that way too - and Barrett is probably now the best running No 10 the All Blacks have.

Patrick McKendry: No. I would allow Cruden the chance to prove he is the current No 1 first-five. Barrett deserves a place on the bench, in my opinion.

Will the selectors pick him?

Gregor Paul: He'd be the favourite. It feels like they have been holding him back on this tour, knowing he'd probably start in Cardiff.

Patrick McKendry: Possibly, yes. There isn't much between Cruden and Barrett and the selectors have shown a willingness to experiment on this tour. It is a good opportunity to see how he would cope with starting a test at No 10 in the Northern Hemisphere. He has yet to do so in his previous 27 tests.

Colin Slade

Slade stats
Starts on tour: 1
Minutes on tour: 80
Points: 5
Goal-kicking rating: 7/10
Form rating: 8/10.

Would you pick him?

Gregor Paul: Yes - on the bench. Slade is in form, he's confident and he's playing better than he ever has. His energy, belief and dynamism are vital factors in the final game of a 14-test season. He's composed, comfortable, makes things happen -- and he kicks his goals.

Patrick McKendry: I would be happy to after his test at Murrayfield, where he was one of the All Blacks' best. His ability to switch from right wing to first-five when Carter went off was outstanding; the attack improving as a result. However, I'm sticking with Cruden to start. Slade deserves a bench role, though.

Will the selectors pick him?

Gregor Paul: They will have him in the 23 somewhere. He's the most versatile player in the squad and his ability to cover 10, 14 and 15 opens options as to who the other back reserve can be.

Patrick McKendry: Not at No 10, but if Barrett starts there, Slade will almost certainly be on the bench as cover.