All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has never been one to shy away from introducing new blood to the national squad and it appears he'll continue the trend in 2014.
Punters would have to be living in a cave to miss the rise and rise of Highlanders centre Malakai Fekitoa but Chiefs rake Nathan Harris and Blues lock Patrick Tuipulotu won't have been on everyone's radar.
It would not surprise if the pair were among the 35 players named in a national training group on Monday as Hansen adds a dash of future-proofing to the core of players who will take on England next month.
There are two main areas that will have had the national selection panel scratching their heads this season.
The most pressing is at hooker. Dane Coles has charted a pleasing course alongside veteran Keven Mealamu but nobody else is bashing down the door.
That needs to change before next year's Rugby World Cup and though Highlanders rake Liam Coltman is likely to get the first crack, it's understood Harris may have leap-frogged his way into the mix.
Coltman has a rugged edge and is understood to have shone in testing with the All Blacks last year but, like Coles, still lacks a little bulk.
Hansen was known last year to be interested in bruising Hurricanes hooker Motu Matu'u's physicality and Harris holds similar appeal.
He was 105kg when he was in the New Zealand under 20s in 2012 and at 22 continues to develop in the right physical direction even if his throwing to the lineout still needs work.
The Bay of Plenty rake's rise from the Chiefs wider training group to the starting side in recent weeks will have pleased the national selectors and his start against the Blues last night may have been a final chance to etch himself into the All Blacks training squad.
Tuipulotu, if selected, will have achieved some feat after coming into Super Rugby parked behind workaholic Hurricane Jeremy Thrush and Crusaders giant Dominic Bird.
But at 120 kg-plus and 1.98m tall, Tuipulotu possesses some freakish athletic ability and, at just 21-years-old, has massive upside.
A future pairing of Tuipulotu or Bird next to Sam Whitelock or Brodie Retallick would give the All Blacks a second row with the height and size to match any in world rugby.
Against England, Hansen may not feel the need for four specialist locks with loose forward Steven Luatua able to cover at a pinch and Thrush and Bird a phone call away.
Ben Smith made a good fist last year but never looked as good in the midfield as he does out wide.
Fekitoa has virtually run through the selectors' door. The Aucklander's ability to go through and round defenders in the middle of the park arguably hasn't been seen since Frank Bunce wreaked havoc in the 1990s.
Fekitoa has some rough edges but looks physically ready for test rugby.
Loosehead prop remains a conundrum but does not warrant the urgency of hooker or centre.
Tony Woodcock, Wyatt Crockett and Ben Franks are all ageing but still have fuel in the tank.
Crusaders prop Joe Moody is a hope at 26 but has battled injury since being picked, then withdrawn from last year's end of year tour to Europe. He is currently in the process of returning to club rugby.
That may see his replacement last November, Hurricanes tighthead Jeffery Toomaga-Allen carry on his steady rise with Ben Franks set to switch hit for another season.
Otherwise, it is difficult to see the selectors stray too far from last year's successful mix.
Colin Slade has earned a recall at first-five in the absence of Dan Carter, who is still on sabbatical, and loose forward Jerome Kaino's return is surely a no-brainer.
What appeared a serious knee injury to Charles Piutau last night could offer Cory Jane a reprieve when Hansen whittles down his squad to 31. If Piutau is sidelined for a period, it could open the way for a player in another position to be added.
POSSIBLE ALL BLACKS SQUAD
Outside backs: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Julian Savea, Charles Piutau (subject to fitness), Cory Jane
Midfield: Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Ryan Crotty, Malakai Fekitoa
First five-eighth: Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett, Colin Slade
Halfbacks: Aaron Smith, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, TJ Perenara
Loose forwards: Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, Sam Cane, Liam Messam, Jerome Kaino, Steven Luatua
Locks: Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu
Props: Owen Franks, Ben Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Tony Woodcock, Wyatt Crockett, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
Hookers: Dane Coles, Keven Mealamu, Liam Coltman, Nathan Harris
Injured: Francis Saili, Ben Afeaki, Augustine Pulu
Unavailable: Dan Carter
On the fringes: Shane Christie, Brad Shields, Victor Vito, Ben Tameifuna, Andy Ellis, Luke Braid, Luke Whitelock, Lima Sopoaga, Frank Halai, Kane Hames, Jeremy Thrush
- The Dominion Post
