All Blacks: Tough calls for Henry

Graham Henry. File photo / Mark Mitchell

At some stage today, Graham Henry will do the job he hates the most and one he has struggled with throughout his career.

He will tell a number of players they have missed the All Black squad for the World Cup. It will be an awkward and emotional few minutes when the news is first broken and the explanations given as to why.

"There is no easy way of telling people," says Henry. "If you look at the back three - the two wings and fullback - they are all good footballers and I have a lot of time for them as people as well. But two of them are going to miss out. We are going to try to do things as humanely as possible."

Breaking bad news has not been a strength of Henry's.

Several players coached by him earlier in his career say they never heard they had been dropped directly.

That criticism is not one he is likely to hear this time around. Players in South Africa who are to be discarded for the World Cup will be told in face-to-face meetings.

Those back in New Zealand who are not required will also be contacted directly by the coach. So spare a thought for the peripheral All Blacks who face an agonising day waiting to hear their fate.

"The game is at 5pm South African time and we [All Black selectors] will either meet later that night or maybe on Sunday morning and make those decisions," says Henry.

"If there are players in South Africa, and there will be, who are not in the World Cup squad, we will have a meeting with those players and discuss that with them. If they are not required for Brisbane because everyone is fit, they will come back to New Zealand."

The toughest meeting could be with Zac Guildford, who might be the unluckiest player of all. He played out of his skin during Super Rugby and did all he could against Fiji and South Africa in Wellington.

But the selectors have a known respect for Cory Jane and Sitiveni Sivivatu and kept the door open for both to force their way back.

Ahead of this morning's test, Jane and Sivivatu had probably done enough to prove they have rediscovered their form and confidence and, at their best, offer more than Guildford.

The fact that Israel Dagg and Isaia Toeava were named in the original Tri Nations squad when both were injured and had been for some time, suggests they are in pole position.

Hosea Gear was also an original selection and while he was a little quiet in his one appearance against Australia, his strike running and finishing are qualities desired by the selectors.

The final choice is likely to come down to Jane or Sivivatu and here there are no clues. They are both magical when at their best and have both enjoyed memorable performances in the black jersey.

Jane offers more stability on defence and is a better operator under the high ball. He is also believed to be staying in New Zealand beyond the World Cup while Sivivatu has confirmed he is joining Clermont.

Earlier in the year, Henry said those staying would have an advantage if it came down to a 50:50 call.