Ross Filipo: Nail-biting time for fringe ABs

Damian McKenzie of the Chiefs on the attack during the Super Rugby Qualifying Final match between the Highlanders and the Chiefs. Photo / Getty Images

Opinion

This morning will be a nervous time for the players on the fringe of All Blacks selection.

Last night would have been, too, and the Chiefs and Highlanders players who have a chance of being named in the national team for the first time this afternoon might have felt an extra incentive to do well, quite apart from the pressure of a sudden-death qualifier.

Spare a thought, also, for those players in the frame from the Crusaders and Blues who didn't have a chance to make a late claim, because sometimes the All Blacks coaches can leave spots open until almost the last minute.

I remember well my contrasting years in the All Blacks environment in 2007 and 2008.

The first year I was called up as a replacement after a series of injuries to guys including Ali Williams and Keith Robinson. It was fantastic but I wanted to validate it by being named in a squad, which I did in 2008.

I had a huge amount of drive to be named because, when you're growing up, you dream about that day when the squad is named on radio or television. It's a huge honour and different to being called up as an injury replacement, which was an honour in itself — and I was grateful for it — but it was different in 2008 because I felt I made it through my own merits.

It was everything I had hoped for. I didn't get a call saying I had made it, but found out on the day along with everyone else. I knew I was in the frame, though — I got told just before the Air New Zealand Cup final for Wellington against Canterbury that it was basically a two-horse race between me and Jeremy Thrush, my locking partner at the Lions.

There's a huge incentive this year because of the World Cup. The guys will be trusted with the job of trying to retain it. A rookie who goes to the World Cup and performs well will cement himself in the squad. Likewise, someone recalled to the environment also has a massive opportunity to stay there.

Once you are named for the first time you have to try to keep your feet on the ground. You've only been named in the squad. You always dream of making the All Blacks but, when you make it, that's when you feel the pressure of the country, the pressure to perform, to serve the jersey to the best of your ability.

I was 28 when I made the All Blacks so I was reasonably confident in myself and knew I could approach the coaches Graham Henry, Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen.

I had had a bit of a leadership role at the Lions and was starting to become a senior player at the Crusaders. I knew what was expected of me. But I can see as a young guy it can be pretty hard to rock up to the coaches and say, 'I don't know this'. The good thing is the All Blacks is a great learning environment; players are there because they deserve to be and will get all the support they need.

Good luck and congratulations to all those named this afternoon — especially the new guys. For you, the All Black journey is just starting and I hope it's a successful one.