Rugby World Cup: Who will start for the All Blacks?

All Blacks outside back Nehe Milner-Skudder training ahead of their pool C opener against Argentina. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The World Cup kicks off Saturday morning with a handful of coaches still not sure exactly what their best team looks like. The All Blacks are not one of them and that should be confirmed when they name their side to play Argentina.

There's no need or desire from the selectors to pull any tricks. They don't need to make a big statement selection to prove a point or try something unusual to throw everyone.

Nor do they need to worry particularly about the fact they play Namibia just four days later.

They have enough depth and trust in the 31 players to pick the team they want to take on the Pumas without having to factor in how they will have to reshuffle the cards for the next game.

On that basis, there isn't much, if anything that will have required debate. A front-row of Tony Woodcock, Dane Coles and Owen Franks is expected. These three are deemed to be the best scrummaging unit available and whatever expansionist ideas are taking hold within the Pumas, they are not going to ditch their century-plus love of scrummaging any time soon.

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Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock will no doubt get the nod at lock with Luke Romano likely to enjoy a reasonable run from the bench. With just three specialist locks in the party, Retallick, Romano and Whitelock are going to have to be judiciously rotated to strike that balance between finding their form and avoiding fatigue.

Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw and Kieran Read are hard to go past as the loose trio. They remain the three best players in their respective positions and the best combination.

Enough said.

Aaron Smith and Daniel Carter surely take the decision-making roles with Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith in the midfield - not for old time's sake, but because they still have the hunger, skills and desire to be the best in the world.

Julian Savea has to play on the left wing, Ben Smith at fullback and with Waisake Naholo still not fit, Nehe Milner-Skudder will presumably continue on the right wing.

One accusation that can't be levelled at the All Blacks is that they don't know their best team. Trickier to guess is the bench.

Presumably the more senior Keven Mealamu will be picked with a view to allowing Codie Taylor to start against Namibia. Wyatt Crockett will most likely be one reserve prop and Charlie Faumuina the other. The big Blues tight-head needs game time having not played a test this year and it could be he's given a decent run in all of the pool games.

Romano will back-up at lock and it's probably a straight choice between Victor Vito and Liam Messam for the loose forward berth.

TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett will most likely provide the cover at halfback and No 10 and possibly Sonny Bill Williams will be preferred ahead of Malakai Fekitoa for the remaining backs' spot.

Williams is short of a gallop and confidence and a 25 minute burst might be the perfect way to enable him to find his touch.

Likely playing 23
15: Ben Smith, 14: Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13: Conrad Smith, 12: Ma'a Nonu, 11: Julian Savea, 10: Dan Carter, 9: Aaron Smith, 8: Kieran Read, 7: Richie McCaw, 6: Jerome Kaino, 5: Sam Whitelock, 4: Brodie Retallick, 3: Owen Franks, 2: Dane Coles, 1: Tony Woodcock. Reserves: 16: Keven Mealamu, 17: Wyatt Crockett, 18: Charlie Faumuina, 19: Luke Romano, 20: Victor Vito, 21: TJ Perenara, 22: Beauden Barrett, 23: Sonny Bill Williams.