Wynne Gray: Plenty of talent on offer to back Read

Kieran Read. Photo / Getty Images

Who is the best backup to Kieran Read at No 8?

It may be Jerome Kaino, Victor Vito or Richie McCaw.

At stages of their careers they have shown or hinted, in McCaw's case, that they can all handle the position.

But for now, they are being used as specialist flankers and that is where they should stay through to the World Cup.

So for the looming end of year tour, the All Black selectors are looking for someone who can stand in for Read and perhaps an understudy to McCaw.

Liam Messam is a very talented athlete capable of doing both jobs but he is a frustrating mix. At times it seems he tries too much on his own then disappears for sections in a match.

He went on tour with the All Blacks in 2008 along with Read who was another new pick.

Messam started a couple of games at No 8, Read made his test debut against Scotland on the blindside. Since then Read has pushed on to become an automatic pick at the base of the scrum.

He is ultra-fit, reads a game well, has increased his skills and is utterly dependable.

Messam has slipped in the ratings though he went on the All Blacks trip to the Northern Hemisphere again last year.

He was used as a sub twice in this season's Tri-Nations but was then left out for the away segment of that competition. His game does not appear to have moved up a notch.

Someone who is playing strongly at No 8 is Colin Bourke. There is a little bit of Zinzan Brooke about his play while he also captains Bay of Plenty.

He is a ball-player, a continuity player, someone who defends well and is also sharp at the breakdown. He is a lineout forward and even with a Bay scrum under the pump, has shown his distribution skills.

The former schoolboy outside back has all the catching and kicking skills needed in the modern game and looks sharper than he has in previous campaigns.

His versatility would be a great asset and selection, like the impending promotion of Sonny Bill Williams, would give Bourke valuable specialist tuition on tour.

Adam Thomson's season-ending knee injury has opened up the options even more.

The selectors may end up taking both Bourke and Messam because the days of a specialist fetcher appear over which spells selection sorrow for players like Daniel Braid, Tanerau Latimer and Karl Lowe. It may offer chances to others who are more lock/loosies like Jarrad Hoeata, Dean Budd or Kane Thompson.

But with the expanding skills players need to push through to the top-levels of rugby, Bourke appears to have all the ingredients needed for the Three Wise Men.