David Leggat: Fresh faces a positive message

Ever think you would hear an All Black squad named with which you are entirely in agreement?

Didn't think so, and the same will apply as the latest batch is dissected in the coming days ahead of the start of the six-match expedition to five countries.

The selectors have handed up a pile of talking points, which was always going to be the case, no matter the names read out yesterday.

The one point on which there should be widespread satisfaction is the inclusion of the new men, Ben Smith, Zac Guildford and Mike Delany, along with fringe squad man Tamati Ellison.

Why? Because their selections bring fresh talent to the squad, new faces and sends a positive message. Players should now be aware they don't need to be part of a perceived inner circle to make the All Blacks. Indeed, there's a case to say the panel, Graham Henry, Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith, could have really pushed the boat out.

What about Southland's in-form lock Josh Bekhuis? Or Wellington's lively halfback Alby Matthewson. Put it this way: what more can they learn about Jason Eaton and Andy Ellis?

How much football the new quartet will play on tour is a moot point. But at least the selectors have moved in the right direction on that score.

And a clap for bringing Liam Messam back. The Waikato captain was the subject of specific, hard criticism after his only test of the year, against France at Dunedin in June. It appeared tough, after all he was hardly the only All Black to be off colour that night. Messam has knuckled down, done what was asked of him and been suitably rewarded.

And therein lies something to ponder for the likes of Joe Rokocoko, Aled de Malmanche and George Whitelock.

All were All Blacks at various points this year, and aren't getting on the plane on Sunday. Messam should be a name written above their mirrors to remind them that, as Smith put it, "the door is never closed".

Which brings us to Isaac Ross. There are those who will never understand the panel's treatment of the young Canterbury lock. The criticism of Ross yesterday was, as with Messam a few months' ago, unequivocal, Henry saying he knows what he needs to work on "and if he doesn't do that he isn't going to be the international footballer he could be". Translation: his test career will be toast.

Presumably whatever he lacks was not noticed in the course of his eight test appearances this year before he was discarded for what was the easiest assignment of the campaign, the walloping of the lay-down Wallabies in Wellington.

Ross got stuck with Matfield, Botha and co. Henry described the present position as "a very positive situation for him [Ross]". The player's answer to that might be instructive. This non-selection is one argument the selectors' won't win in the public forum.

Sitiveni Sivivatu showed that players don't need to be active to win selection, having been sidelined for weeks by a shoulder injury. He was described yesterday as a player who doesn't need much game time to get up to speed, has been the country's best winger for years, and is the leading counter-attacker. But he's been picked on trust, the selectors' admitting they have relied on what they know of him.

Yesterday there was a solid line on wanting players in the back three who are secure under the high ball, and reliable in their defensive duties. That didn't entirely square with some of Sivivatu's defensive manoeuvrings during the Tri-Nations.

This could be make-or-break for several players with the World Cup in mind. Will the new, young men make a favourable impact? Will the older warhorses show they can still breathe fire in 2011? Fascinating times lie ahead.