KEY POINTS:
Blues centre Isaia Toeava remains high on the All Black selectors' list of World Cup contenders.
National coach Graham Henry had high praise for Toeava this week, indicating if he repeated his initial Super 14 form in the later stages of the series, he would be hard to ignore for the World Cup in France.
"He has probably been the best centre halfway through the competition," Henry said. "He still has a lot of proving to do, but he has got a lot of ability."
Toeava was the shock selection for the Grand Slam tour two years ago.
The selectors said his ability to play anywhere from first five-eighths out, could make him an invaluable World Cup choice.
Toeava has shown mixed form since at the top level but has improved with a change of team and position this season.
Several youngsters caught Henry's attention in the absence of the reconditioned All Blacks.
"Stephen Brett has played particularly well, and he would not have had a chance if there was not a conditioning window," Henry said.
"He adds to the No 10s who have shown they can play with authority.
"Young Crusader forwards [Kieran] Read and [Michael] Paterson are also coming through, David Smith and Lelia Masaga are a couple of exciting young wings, Corey Jane has been playing some bloody good football and Scott Hamilton as well."
Making Troy Flavell captain of the Blues had been a masterstroke because the leadership seemed to motivate him to the form he had shown before shoulder surgery restricted his last season.
The All Black coach had wanted to see how Chiefs centre Richard Kahui fared in the Super 14, but that idea was derailed by Kahui's shoulder injury.
"He was impressive in the rugby leading into this competition and he is of interest to us. When you add Ice [Toeava] Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu and Mils [Muliaina] who can play at centre we are coming along nicely."
That summary also covered Henry's thoughts on the New Zealand sides in the Super 14.
The Hurricanes had underperformed slightly, and the Chiefs had endured unbelievable bad fortune with injuries. But the Blues had created a huge turnaround. They had learned from their troubles last season and coach David Nucifora had them humming nicely.
The Crusaders were travelling solidly, and the Highlanders were playing up to their potential.
"I was down there recently and was really impressed with their attitude," Henry said.
"There is not huge pressure on their players, they are just being asked to play to their ability and they are doing that."
It was fair comment to suggest that some All Blacks had not hit strong form yet but the selectors always put more credence on performance in the second half of the Super 14.
Said Henry: "That is the important stage, and those players whose teams get into the playoffs will get a slight advantage because it will be seen how they react under that pressure.
"As far as the All Blacks selectors are concerned it starts to get pretty serious now. So far we have been looking generally at teams and players. We have built up a list of those who are of interest to us and from now on we will look more at those players as individuals.
"There are guys who will be certainties now for the World Cup, but this process is not just about that tournament as we also have to choose the Junior All Blacks and help with other selections."
There was an abundance of choice in the locks and loose forwards.
Henry and his selection panel - Steve Hansen, Wayne Smith and Sir Brian Lochore - wanted to watch a lot more games live in the second half of the Super 14, and would try to have a selector at each home match.
It would take the reconditioned All Blacks several games to get attuned, and Henry said he had no problems with Nucifora's decision to ignore his four last night.
He was sure some NZ teams would be in the playoffs, but it might depend on the Bulls' results.
"The Sharks have made a great start but have yet to go on the road and the Force have not played a lot of New Zealand sides."
Henry had few answers about the freefall of the Brumbies and Waratahs other than to suggest some players might be pacing themselves for an arduous year.
He also conceded the Springboks would be a major threat in the Tri-Nations and World Cup.
