Lee Stensness: Options galore provide much food for thought

As rugby fans sift through the Air New Zealand NPC looking for the 'bolter' for the All Black Grand Slam touring party, the relevant question is the forwards/backs split.

We know the squad size is 35, however the permutations in terms of the forwards/backs split affect the positional areas where bolters are more likely to come from.

In a squad of 35, logic (mine at least) dictates two specialists for each position, plus an extra hooker and halfback, making 32, which leaves three spots available for selector discretion.

Within those three selections, there are an endless number of possibilities. With the backs, based on this season's international form, there seems to be 11 certainties - Byron Kelleher, Piri Weepu, Dan Carter, Luke McAlister, Aaron Mauger, Tana Umaga, Joe Rokocoko, Doug Howlett, Rico Gear, Mils Muliaina, Leon McDonald, plus an extra halfback (probably Kevin Senio or Steve Devine or Jimmy Cowan), plus Conrad Smith, even though he was on the bench for Wellington on Friday night.

I have left out Sitiveni Sivivatu because I believe he is in need of some rest and rehabilitation so he can regain his electric form in next year's Super 14.

That makes 13 spots already taken and the versatility of those 13 players makes it difficult to read what cover the All Blacks require.

We can now see they don't need two specialists in each position as there is cover within those 13 players. We need to guess what the selectors are thinking when faced with questions such as, McAlister 10 and 12 or just 10? Muliaina 15 or 13 or both and wing as well? MacDonald 15 and 10 or just 15?

Sheesh, that many options could do your head in! Basically there are maybe as many as 16 places available for backs or as few as 14. This makes a significant difference to the chances of a young, or not so young, bolter.

All areas of the All Black backline would benefit from more depth but, looking forward, specialist positions need attention - specifically first-five, centre and fullback. These positions are technically demanding and experience is important for success at test level.

I feel the selectors will go with a young first-five who may not play much or at all on the tour - such as Stephen Donald, Nick Evans or possibly the exciting Auckland find Isaia Toe'ava. Like Luke McAlister last year, the player chosen will have the opportunity to witness first hand the levels of preparation and skill required to play at the top.

At centre, Anthony Tuitavake is rightly getting a lot of attention but it may be a quiet achiever such as Casey Laulala or the raw power of Ma'a Nonu or the big-stepping former All Black Ben Atiga - or even two of those players - who get the nod.

At fullback, Sosene Anesi has the speed and previous selection as factors which may point to his reselection. Injury concerns with Leon MacDonald (again) mean that another fullback may be required, or a fullback/wing - players like Scott Hamilton who plays both, or Tony Koonwaiyou with Doug Howlett a fullback option. Brent Ward may also be considered.

The players lucky enough to be in the semifinals and final have the best opportunity to push their cases with the selectors.