Rugby: End-of-year tour will boost All Blacks' coffers, blood fringe players

Crusaders midfielder Jack Goodhue could be one of a number of fringe players to get some valuable game time on the end of year tour. Photo / photosport.nz

Two non-test matches on the end-of-year tour will allow the All Blacks to tick development and revenue-generating boxes.

After the bumper Lions series, which could net New Zealand Rugby up to $40 million, coffers will be further boosted come November.

In the first outing of their likely five-match tour, the All Blacks meet the Barbarians at Twickenham on November 4 to celebrate the invitational team's 125th anniversary.

This match alone is expected to see NZ Rugby pocket about $3.5 million, as it sits outside the test window.

Confirmation is yet to arrive after protracted negotiations around the status of the match, but reports out of France suggested the All Blacks will face a French selection in Lyon on November 15.

Like the Barbarians, a second game in France, coming four days after the All Blacks test in Paris, won't be agreed without another significant financial windfall for NZ Rugby.

From a development perspective, these matches also allow the All Blacks to give fringe players valuable experience, while keeping their paymasters happy. The second game in France means they are likely to play three games in seven days between France and Scotland, necessitating a raft of rotations.

With a 37-man squad, the All Blacks will have plenty of cover. The likes of Crusaders centre Jack Goodhue, Highlanders first five-eighth Lima Sopoaga, Hurricanes loose forward Vaea Fifita, Blues prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi and Chiefs hooker Nathan Harris could be among those to benefit most from these additional fixtures.

Goodhue was named in the All Blacks squad to take on the Lions as injury cover. While he didn't take the field, it seems only a matter of time before his chance arrives.

There is a bit of Conrad Smith about Goodhue. Certainly, his decision-making under pressure and distribution - he has eight try assists this season to sit equal with Jordie Barrett and three behind brother Beauden - make him a compelling prospect, even in an area as competitive as the midfield.

Since his composed debut at Ellis Park back in 2015, Sopoaga has been forced to be patient. But with Aaron Cruden moving to France, the door is open to push his case and likely enjoy starting chances in these matches, although Damian McKenzie will also be hovering.

Tu'ungafasi falls into a similar bracket.

Despite his scrummaging struggles in Super Rugby, the All Blacks have long been grooming him to step up. Charlie Faumuina's departure to France should allow for his opportunity.

Fifita is an enticing athlete. Called up to last year's end-of-season tour to provide second-row injury cover, the All Blacks believe his long length of stride and rangy abilities are best suited to loose forward.

He made his debut against Samoa at Eden Park, just prior to the Lions series, and is a strong candidate to feature again against the likes of the Baabaas.

Harris, the third-string hooker with Dane Coles back on deck, is another who has struggled for game-time.

Injuries, including a broken ankle, have restricted him to eight tests since 2014, but with starting chances in these matches, his upper body strength could come to the fore and offer a point of difference.

Likely All Blacks end of year tour:
Barbarians, November 4, London
France, November 11, Paris
French selection, November 15, Lyon
Scotland, November 18, Edinburgh
Wales, November 25, Cardiff