Any would-be All Blacks must show what they're made of during tomorrow's game against the Chiefs, writes Wynne Gray
Trivial Pursuit time. If you can name the Blues players picked for the All Blacks last season you will be doing well.
There were 10 from the Super 14 team who got the call to higher honours - an impressive number, although three never made it onto the field.
Those
who never broke a sweat in All Black action during 2009 were Ali Williams and Rudi Wulf, who broke down before the initial test against France at Carisbrook, and Anthony Tuitavake, who flitted into camp during the Tri-Nations series.
The seven who pulled the famous black strip on during 2009 were Joe Rokocoko, Isaia Toeava, Jerome Kaino, Anthony Boric, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock.
Midfielder Luke McAlister was involved in five tests, but he did not play for the Blues last season.
Not that he has played much for them this year either as a calf injury bit into his progress while Benson Stanley, Rene Ranger and Toeava have dominated selections.
So who will make it to the All Blacks from the Blues after their unsatisfactory season ends tomorrow night with an unpromising skirmish against the Chiefs at Eden Park?
Coach Pat Lam nominated "a few" worthy of an All Black spot when quizzed yesterday, a forecast he amended later as he suggested Graham Henry was the only arbiter when it came to picking the initial 26-man national squad.
One who might be disappointed is Toeava, who has struggled to deal with an ongoing hip complaint. That continuing injury meant he was overlooked for the final Super 14 game tomorrow and must put some doubt on his involvement with the All Blacks.
Toeava has undergone cortisone treatment and while it appears to help for a while, the problem always seems to return.
The Blues and All Black medical staff have discussed the problem already this season and there will need to be more discussion about a solution.
Halfback Alby Mathewson and five-eighths Stephen Brett have been putting some heat on for selection with far better production from the No 9 and No 10 jerseys than the Blues have had in recent seasons. Whether that is enough to push them into the All Black group is questionable.
Mathewson may have the stronger claim, but if the Crusaders and Hurricanes qualify for the playoffs then halfbacks such as Andy Ellis, Kahn Fotuali'i, Piri Weepu and Tyson Keats will get the advantage of showing their claims under greater scrutiny.
Wing Joe Rokocoko is the leading try-scorer with nine in the series and, in the absence of the injured Sitiveni Sivivatu, has pushed his claims for a return to the All Black squad with stronger all-round performances for the Blues.
The entire frontrow of Woodcock, Mealamu and Afoa will go close, though that will be more on reputation than any significant consistent production.
Blindside flanker Jerome Kaino has played some high-quality rugby throughout most of the tournament though, disconcertingly, he has appeared to tail off a shade recently.
He is competing in the toughest selection arena against Liam Messam, Victor Vito, Kieran Read and Adam Thomson for a place in the first national squad.
Others? Midfield has a vacancy sign for a deputy to Ma'a Nonu. Of those on view, Stanley has been most consistent, but he is of uncertain test standard, while Ranger has been mink and manure and McAlister needs more games.
In a group trimmed to 26 for the June tests against Ireland and Wales, there is little room for speculative selections, getting past performers up to speed or choosing some wildcards.
Tomorrow, the Blues' hopefuls must show their class.
BLUES V CHIEFS
Eden Park: Tomorrow, 7.35pm, SS1