Three wise men face major dilemma in reducing their squad to 31

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen does a radio interview at the announcement of the All Blacks squad for the Samoa Test and Investec Rugby Championship. Photo / Jason Oxenham

In every All Black squad there are faces and frames which don't fit.

For a nation with a surplus of rugby talent, there are always hard-luck stories and surprise elevations after the announcement of national training squads.

This time with the selectors choosing a huge squad of 41 and cover from Andy Ellis and Nepo Laulala to challenge for test places, it's hard to imagine any misgivings.

There aren't because once everyone is available after Super Rugby duties, the selectors will face an incredibly difficult job paring down this group to 31 for the RWC.

Only two players, Dominic Bird and James Parsons, who were used on last year's end-of-year tour have been overlooked, while Tawera Kerr Barlow has been chosen on the historic evidence of his play last season before he wrecked his knee.

Once you've combed through the squad it's possible to find three players who should give thanks to someone other than the Three Wise Men and three more who will be wondering what they have to do to get that trio to reconsider.

Three fortunate selections: Israel Dagg, Cory Jane and Luke Romano.

All three are established All Blacks and all have been troubled by injury and lack of form this season. Even when they have got on the track they have struggled to produce much in the way of the form which originally elevated them to the national status.

Dagg has damaged his hamstring several times and there is still no word on his recovery. Jane did something similar in the Canes final pool game. Probably as a result of their injuries they have been conservative when they have got on the park. Meanwhile, around them there has been a clutch of high-performing fullbacks and wings.

Romano has been in work more but has not made the impact others such as Patrick Tuipulotu, James Broadhurst and Jeremy Thrush have in his role. His fortune is Tuipulotu's injury and Bird's lack of form, but with Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Broadhurst and Thrush in strong form, Romano still has a huge scrap to get to the tournament.

Three unlucky players: Patrick Osborne, Elliot Dixon, Ardie Savea.

Osborne has been part of the Highlanders' back four firepower and was picked to go to an All Black camp last season, arguably, when his form was not as impressive as this Super Rugby campaign.

Dixon has clocked up some impressive games in a tight-loose role and even with the absence of the injured Steven Luatua cannot get a run.

Another who is finding that out is Ardie Savea, the firecracker Hurricanes openside whose game is less structured than Richie McCaw, Sam Cane or Matt Todd but can be so damaging. It's simply a case of what style suits the All Black template as they throw their thoughts to what they hope will be the latter stages of the World Cup.

Forwards:

Hookers

Dane Coles - Hurricanes / Wellington (27)

Hikawera Elliot - Chiefs / Poverty Bay (3)

Keven Mealamu - Blues / Auckland (123)

Codie Taylor - Crusaders / Canterbury *

Props
Wyatt Crockett - Crusaders / Canterbury (27)
Charlie Faumuina - Blues / Auckland (20)
Ben Franks - Hurricanes / Hawke's Bay (31)
Owen Franks - Crusaders / Canterbury (57)
Joe Moody - Crusaders / Canterbury (8)
Tony Woodcock - Blues /North Harbour (110)

Locks
James Broadhurst - Hurricanes / Taranaki *
Brodie Retallick - Chiefs / Bay of Plenty (36)
Luke Romano - Crusaders / Canterbury (17)
Jeremy Thrush - Hurricanes / Wellington (11)
Samuel Whitelock - Crusaders / Canterbury (62)

Loose forwards
Sam Cane - Chiefs / Bay of Plenty (22)
Jerome Kaino - Blues /Auckland (56)
Richie McCaw (captain) - Crusaders / Canterbury (137)
Liam Messam - Chiefs / Waikato (40)
Kieran Read - Crusaders / Canterbury (72)
Matt Todd - Crusaders / Canterbury (2)
Victor Vito - Hurricanes / Wellington (26)

Backs:

Halfbacks

Tawera Kerr-Barlow - Chiefs / Waikato (15)

TJ Perenara - Hurricanes / Wellington (11)

Aaron Smith - Highlanders / Manawatu (38)

First five-eighths
Beauden Barrett - Hurricanes / Taranaki (28)
Daniel Carter - Crusaders / Canterbury (102)
Colin Slade - Crusaders /Canterbury (17)
Lima Sopoaga - Highlanders / Southland *

Midfielders
Ryan Crotty - Crusaders / Canterbury (13)
Malakai Fekitoa - Highlanders / Auckland (8)
Ma'a Nonu - Hurricanes / Wellington (94)
Conrad Smith - Hurricanes / Wellington (85)
Sonny Bill Williams - Chiefs / Counties Manukau (23)

Outside backs
Israel Dagg - Crusaders /Hawke's Bay (46)
Cory Jane - Hurricanes / Wellington (48)
Nehe Milner-Skudder - Hurricanes / Manawatu *
Waisake Naholo - Highlanders / Taranaki *
Charles Piutau - Blues /Auckland (14)
Julian Savea - Hurricanes / Wellington (33)
Ben Smith - Highlanders / Otago (38)