All Blacks: World Cup depth to take centre stage

Sitiveni Sivivatu. Photo / Getty Images

The days of living for the 'now' are over and the All Blacks will shift their selection focus to growth and development throughout November.

They will start talking about the World Cup and their need to begin preparing; the need to have greater depth.

The consistency of selection that has underpinned their success this year will take a back seat in Europe. Coach Graham Henry will use five of the remaining nine tests before the World Cup to learn more about the peripheral members of his squad.

The All Blacks will take 30 on their Grand Slam tour that will include a Bledisloe Cup test in Hong Kong and all will see game time. The opposition lends itself to a little experimentation - Scotland, Ireland, England and Wales have the potential to be competitive but not necessarily successful against the All Blacks.

The last 14 tests have enabled the coaches to draw firm conclusions on the make-up of their best team. They have also been able to see hints of potential from the likes of Israel Dagg, Sam Whitelock and Victor Vito.

These are the players the coaches want to give more game time - the sort of players they want to be conditioned and mentally ready to play a role at the World Cup if injury or form collapses should occur.

"I know people don't like going down here, but I think we are going to have to give guys opportunity to play," said Henry on how the philosophy will change.

"We are going to take 30 away. Andrew Hore could be in that group if we take him away and Keven [Mealamu] and Corey Flynn if we take three hookers and they have got to get some game time, otherwise they might as well stay at home.

"When there is a significant amount of games - not a huge amount of games - we have got to play guys. They have got to experience international rugby.

"After Sydney, we have only nine test matches prior to the World Cup and this is the opportunity."

With five games in five weeks, the coaches don't want to flog the starting line-up, particularly as many have already endured heavy workloads. Brad Thorn and Mealamu, while they will be desperate to play 80 minutes each week, will have to accept reduced spells on the paddock.

These are men secure in their positions, players who don't need to be anxious about proving their worth.

The same is true of other established players such as Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith and Mils Muliaina. The three of them are likely to be seen less than they have been - as the number of backs pushing for recognition is significant.

Henry is already warning that this tour party will be one of the tougher selections in terms of the backs, with a number of high quality players certain to miss out. Sonny Bill Williams is expected in the mix and Sitiveni Sivivatu is also a possibility to be back on deck.

Isaia Toeava is another on the mend and should the selectors want to take this trio - as they have suggested they do - then the list of who misses out is going to be long.

Missing a spot on the tour needn't be viewed as terminal - the door won't be closed. The All Black coaches are meeting with the Super 15 coaches later this month to determine how the extended programme next year is handled.

The fact there is a World Cup in September cannot be ignored and with only four tests to be played next year before the big event, the All Black planning and preparation on how they handle the next 12 months is reaching the final stages.

Henry doesn't believe it will be good practice for Super 15 coaches to run with the same team each week and says those who involve their extended squad stand the best chance of success.

What Henry wants to have clear by the end of this month is a strategy in place as to how the leading players can gain rest periods during the campaign.

In previous years there has been confusion between the national selectors and Super 14 coaches about how much rugby is appropriate for individuals.

"I think guys [coaches] need to make sensible decisions, so as people play at a high standard all the time," said Henry.

"I don't think you can have a blanket rule. I think if they are out, they should be out and get out of the rugby environment for the week. I think that's the biggest challenge - staying fresh mentally."