Seven potential All Blacks worth watching

Stephen Donald has made good progress this year. Picture / Nigel Marple

Thirty-five All Blacks will board a flight on October 27 for the Grand Slam tour of Britain and Ireland.

In part, the trip is about the continued development of players. Coach Graham Henry has indicated some tourists may not get on the field against Wales, Ireland, England and Scotland.

So, who might have caught the selectors' eye in the NPC? Only the selectors know who - and what positions - are occupying their minds. David Leggat offers a sample of players who could have given Henry, Wayne Smith, Steve Hansen and Sir Brian Lochore pause for thought and moved closer to a seat on the flight to Heathrow.

STEPHEN DONALD (Waikato)

He's been through the right channels, as a national secondary schools and under-21 representative, and a pupil at that conveyer belt of rugby talent, Wesley College.

Donald has switched from Counties Manukau to Waikato, after having made his Super 12 debut at the Chiefs this year.

He looks good value, with a keen eye for a gap and a decent kick. He is not shy of a tackle, but has been brushed at times by hard-running bigger men. He's not alone in that.

Donald has made real progress this year. What better way to top it off?

BERNIE UPTON (Bay of Plenty)

Made great strides at the Chiefs this year, becoming a first-choice lock from midway through the campaign - which happened to coincide with the Chiefs starting a strong run up the table.

The former Wellingtonian, 24 next Thursday, moved north when doors seemed shut in the capital, and is now at the heart of the Bay pack.

The lineout kingpin and a player with a controlled aggressive edge. In terms of 2007's World Cup, Upton looks a player whose development would prosper with a month in the All Black environment.

BRENT WARD (Auckland)

Several weeks ago, the versatile fullback-cum-wing was asked if he had All Black aspirations. He doubted he was good enough, so it had never really loomed large in his thinking.

A few days later, he was called up as cover in the lead-up to the Tri-Nations decider against Australia at Eden Park. So much for self-effacement; the All Black selectors clearly see something they like in Ward.

His goalkicking this season has improved - he's at 76 per cent going into today's match at Taranaki - and he's a good runner from deep positions and a tidy support player.

Ward has three Super 12 campaigns in Hurricanes colours behind him and at 26 he's in his prime. An integral part of the NPC championship leaders.

SCOTT HAMILTON (Canterbury)

Versatile outside back with a happy try-scoring knack.

Hamilton made his Canterbury debut in 2002 and has been a Crusader since 2003.

He has averaged better than a try every second game for Canterbury, and this year is joint top of the individual try-scoring list, with five from as many games.

Looks to have the presence of mind required of a reliable support player and makes good use of the kick ahead option.

The 25-year-old was schooled in the most successful environment in NZ, and this could be a tour to work out whether he is able to make the step up or remains merely a good, reliable first-class player.

THOMAS WALDROM (Wellington)

At first glance, he might not look All Black material. But if the key criterion is players catching the eye in the NPC, the bustling cap-headed Waldrom has been good value for Wellington this season.

He turned in fine performances in the big win over Waikato - including a 45m charging run for a try through several tackles - and the tighter scrape against Bay of Plenty last weekend.

On that occasion, Waldrom scored the decisive try chasing down a Jimmy Gopperth grubber kick to the right corner.

The 22-year-old has been in the selectorial line of vision through age grade, secondary schools, under-19 and under-21 national teams. A strong few weeks' work could earn him a trip.

CLARKE DERMODY (Southland)

Take away the big three of Carl Hayman, Tony Woodcock and Greg Somerville and who's next in the propping cupboard? What about the Southland skipper, who has led a spirited unit in this season's competition?

Consider this: the New Zealand under-21 scrums at consecutive international tournaments were propped by Hayman and Dermody, then Dermody and Campbell Johnstone, who made his test debut this year. So Dermody's no slouch.

At 25, he's already sailed past 60 appearances for the province, has had two Super 12 seasons at the Highlanders and is rarely rocked at scrum time. Coming into what should be his best years.

SEILALA MAPUSUA (Otago)

As tough a midfield back as any, Mapusua has been an important figure for the Highlanders and Otago in the past few seasons.

He formed an impressive midfield with Anthony Tuitavake in this year's Super 12 and has strong, tackle-busting qualities.

His ability to offload in the tackle is as good as any and he is muscular in defence.

Born in Apia, he played for the Pacific Islanders last year, has been playing first-class rugby for seven years and was a national under-21 representative. Will be worth a hard look.