There's no better place to keep up to speed than in provinces

Israel Dagg has been in outstanding form playing for Hawke's Bay this season. Photo / Getty Images

Everybody seems to have had an opinion on who they'd take to the World Cup. I'm not too worried about that side of things ahead of today's team announcement - that's why the selectors are paid the big bucks.

I'm more interested in the tournament build-up, and how players who haven't had much rugby are kept match fit. I would like to see them playing in the ITM Cup as much as possible over the next fortnight.

Those on the periphery of selection, such as Israel Dagg, Charlie Faumuina, Ben Franks, Cory Jane and Tawera Kerr-Barlow should all be playing either before they leave or, if they're left out, in case of injury.

That's a punt the selectors have to take but I believe the more rugby your third and fourth-choice players get now will bring them up to speed for the tournament. It's a balancing act but, for those needing fitness, playing matches will be of more benefit than training camps. There's no better place to do it than the ITM Cup, either. Otherwise, there could be a lot of sitting around doing nothing over the next few weeks.

If players break down, there is always the luxury of picking someone else, given New Zealand rugby's depth in most positions. It's a process worth going through because, in general, the more you play the better you get.

Elsewhere, it was a shock to see the clubrooms of my old club Glenmark burn down the other day. The end-of-year function was due to be held there tonight.

I started there as a young fella when my parents farmed up that way. The Deans brothers, Robbie and Bruce, Andy Earl and myself were part of a reasonably good under-11s team. The four of us became All Blacks, which would be pretty rare in any club.

When I left school I played seniors there, too. I had Graeme Higginson locking behind me, Grizz Wyllie leading us at No8 and Andy Jefferd was in the backline. It was a pretty good senior team and you'd prop against the likes of Bill Bush and John Ashworth who, even the other weekend at the annual All Blacks reunion, was reminiscing about showing me which way my nose should point during one game.

We had good times afterwards at the Waipara Hotel, which also burned down last year. Unfortunately, memorabilia which got saved there went to Glenmark.

I'll happily donate any photos I've got, and have a look around the garage for any spare jerseys, but what's gutting is that some of them were one-offs from guys who wanted to give something back. They're irreplaceable.