KEY POINTS:
Two of the key disputed areas in the 30-man All Black squad for the World Cup are halfback and centre - and some of the action this weekend has clouded the first but maybe clarified the second.
At halfback, there is no doubt Jimmy Cowan of the Highlanders has made up ground on Crusaders' Andrew Ellis for that third spot in the squad. Cowan has been playing gutsily, defending superbly, passing well - and he has been making much more effort to attack around the rucks and mauls.
Ellis, though, has suffered a little. Last year, he was comfortably ahead of Kevin Senio at halfback - but Senio is pushing him hard. Ellis is not getting an undisturbed run, and being rotated with Senio.
He's a young guy with tons of talent but he has obviously been affected because he hasn't cemented his place in the Crusaders yet, never mind the All Blacks.
I don't think there's any argument who has more potential - Ellis. And Cowan has been delivering.
I thought his clash with Byron Kelleher when the Chiefs played the Highlanders might have shed some more light on things but they tended to cancel each other out a bit. I'd give Kelleher a points victory but neither really influenced things a great deal.
At centre, it is becoming increasingly clear the selectors might have to find some room for the Blues' Isaia Toeava. Depending on how many forwards they select - and it could be up to 17 in the Cup squad - the backs will have to be selected with utility value in mind.
If Luke McAlister and Aaron Mauger are the frontrunners at second five-eighths, the centre slot will be between Mils Mulaina, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu - and now Toeava.
What I like is that he either goes past people and links or he gets his hands through the tackle and offloads. When he is not doing that, he is setting the ball up well so the forwards can blow over it.
Smith and Nonu have been affected by the Hurricanes' poor form. I don't blame either for not looking their best right now but Toeava is benefiting from a solid platform.
They'll know what a clever player Smith is. They like Nonu because he is so physical and difficult to defend and can split a game.
At the moment, he's running into trouble, away from his support and his passing is not 100 per cent.
That's a big contrast with Toeava, though he has had a difficult time of it in internationals so far. They could choose to give him a run in the early tests this year, to see if that is behind him.
Selection for France could come down to who has the best utility value and the best form. Toeava could play fullback and wing, at a pinch, while Nonu can also play wing.
But don't make any assumptions yet. There's too much at stake and too much time to go.
In the end, there will be a pretty good All Black XV left at home.
