New Zealand 91 Fiji 0
The All Black slaughter of Fiji will make it ultra-difficult for the selectors to dispatch any of the victorious squad for the Lions series.
But they have to be as ruthless with their decisions as all 22 players were last night who paraded in black
for the first time this season at North Harbour Stadium.
As the last piece of the selection jigsaw slides into place the panel know the Lions in Hamilton tonight will be a far superior foe for the NZ Maori than Fiji were for the All Blacks.
After settling on a gameplan, mulling over all the Super 12 contenders, thousands of statistics and hours of video tape, the national panel knew who they wanted for their test squad which is revealed tomorrow.
A runaway romp against Fiji will not alter their strategies.
Only injuries or some colossal mishaps would do that but NZ Maori candidates like Leon MacDonald, Rico Gear, Caleb Ralph, Jono Gibbes, Marty Holah, Carl Hayman and Corey Flynn will be sweating a bit more today.
How they react under that pressure will be another final item for the selectors to peruse before they place ticks next to the 26 chosen for the first test against the Lions in Christchurch on June 25.
And what about some outside last night's squad and not involved in the Maori game tonight - some like Joe Rokocoko, Nick Evans, Andrew Mehrtens, Reuben Thorne or Saimone Taumoepeau - how will they fare?
Will first five-eighths Evans or Mehrtens be left out but told, if Carter suffers an injury, they will be the starting replacement rather than the part-timer Aaron Mauger?
One unknown will be hooker Anton Oliver who is recovering slowly from his calf muscle tear. He is sure to be retained with the squad for ongoing treatment but he may miss out on the 26 being considered for Christchurch.
New All Black left wing Sitiveni Sivivatu nailed his place after scoring a record four tries on debut against his native countrymen.
It was a superb start for the 23-year-old and one which may eliminate his cousin Rokocoko from the squad. Rokocoko's place, however, may depend on whether the selectors value his test experience and that of Doug Howlett ahead of Rico Gear.
The wing decision looms as one of the tightest for the panel.
Fullback Sosene Anesi, looseforward Sione Lauaki, prop Campbell Johnstone and hooker Derren Witcombe who played their first All Black international last night face huge competition in their positions.
Similar uncertainty should not bedevil new lock James Ryan. His aerial skills are excellent, the scrum appears fine on his side, he thumps into tackles and has a smart turn of pace.
For someone in their first season of Super 12 rugby, in a position which has troubled the All Blacks with injuries to Keith Robinson and Norm Maxwell, the emergence of Ryan is a huge bonus.
A tricky area is the loose forward mix, it is no different every season trying to find a balance. Some thought will be given to the versatility Craig Newby offers but if he is promoted, who suffers? Is it Rodney So'oialo, Mose Tuiali'i or Lauaki?
Maori captain Gibbes offers a lock-loose forward option but that would mean ditching a fourth prop or a loosie from the squad.
Possible squad
Mils Muliaina, Leon MacDonald, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Rico Gear, Joe Rokocoko, Conrad Smith, Tana Umaga, Aaron Mauger, Daniel Carter, Byron Kelleher, Justin Marshall, Rodney So'oialo, Mose Tuiali'i, Richie McCaw, Marty Holah, Jerry Collins, Sione Lauaki, Ali Williams, Chris Jack, James Ryan, Carl Hayman, Campbell Johnstone, Tony Woodcock, Greg Somerville, Keven Mealamu, Corey Flynn. Plus travelling with the squad Anton Oliver
Sitiveni Sivivatu shares a joke with Fiji's Sireli Bobo after the test in Albany last night. Picture / Greg Bowker
New Zealand 91 Fiji 0
The All Black slaughter of Fiji will make it ultra-difficult for the selectors to dispatch any of the victorious squad for the Lions series.
But they have to be as ruthless with their decisions as all 22 players were last night who paraded in black
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