There are certain areas in the All Blacks ranks that the coaching team, especially Steve Hansen as a former forward's mentor, will be happy with considering that some areas, such as the tallest timber, seem to be flush with options.
The bearded menace that is Sam Whitelock remains the senior man, Brodie Retallick is now world class and a nightmare for rival locks, while Luke Romano and Dominic Bird fill out what is - by the foursome's aggregate - the tallest ever locking options available to the Test team.
If current trend continues, it wouldn't be a surprise if another giant entered reckonings for the second row.
However Hansen will not be casting his eyes out looking for another line out forward.
The big focus in the pack will be at hooker, where Andrew Hore's retirement from international rugby leaves a fair big hole to fill.
The 83-Test veteran is now a farmer, with the 35-year-old Hore making his debut for the All Blacks in 2002 against England while playing a huge 141 Super Rugby games.
Centurion Keven Mealamu will be relied on like never before, while Dane Coles rapid education will continue.
While the Blues and the Hurricanes will boast the only active capped Test rakes, the 'hooker apprenticeship' scheme will move up a few notches in 2014.
Liam Coltman of the Highlanders, the Chiefs Rhys Marshall and Bay of Plenty number two Nathan Harris all were invited to the All Blacks camps last year.
It was to give them a taste of the training and day-to-day activities required when a hooker is in camp with the national team.
And one suspects, one of them, or a new face is about to have a quite rapid and remarkable 2014 season.
The other concern is at centre, although to say it is an issue is a stretch considering that Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu are available and represent what is the most experienced Test midfield combination in history.
The duo played their 51st Test together against the Springboks last year.
Charles Piutau, who was in brilliant form on the Test stages of Europe last year, has been earmarked for a potential shift from his usual fullback role.
Add to this Francis Saili, capped as an understudy to Nonu, and it isn't as if the selectors have no talent to call on.
Ryan Crotty is also in the mix, while Hansen has suggested that Robbie Fruean will be watched.
Mealamu hasn't ruled out a 2015 Rugby World Cup, ditto Smith and Nonu, but the three brilliant senior players are being taunted by Father Time, and the World Champions will want to know they have class ready to step up if the unthinkable happens.
