Steven Luatua had a spring his step as he went through his work at the Hutt Recreation Ground yesterday.
Nobody wishes ill upon their team-mates, but injuries have brought Luatua into sharp focus ahead of Saturday's Rugby Championship showdown with South Africa in Wellington.
Coach Steve Hanson showed clear enthusiasm for how dual opensides Sam Cane and Richie McCaw worked together against Argentina in Napier.
However, a glance in the rear-view mirror may sway the odds toward a more orthodox approach against the imposing Springboks pack led by lineout maestro Victor Matfield.
The All Blacks didn't miss a beat when Sam Whitelock cried off McLean Park with a rib injury because Jeremy Thrush stepped up to the mark at scrum and lineout.
Going into this week's test without specialist locking cover may be seen as an unnecessary risk, and it was notable that Patrick Tuipulotu (ankle) and Dominic Bird (toe) were put through some rigorous fitness testing to start their week.
Assistant coach Ian Foster said the original plan to ease the pair back via provincial duties had changed.
''Today was about information gathering more than anything and they both got through. Patrick's probably a little further ahead than Dominic but, until you put them through that, and reassess in 24 hours how they felt after it, you don't really know,'' he said.
''Last week we decided to put Thrushy on the bench to cover against a big scrummaging team. It was one of those times it proved to be a good decision. It's one thing we'll weigh up this week.''
Starting with Luatua at blindside would cause minimum disruption in a straight swap with the injured Liam Messam (thigh) and add height to the lineout.
That would leave Tuipulotu and Cane to cover lock and loose forward from the bench.
Luatua has played only a limited role for the All Blacks this season. He was left out of the squad in June and told to work on his fitness, and has just had an 18-minute cameo during the 51-20 Bledisloe Cup win over Australia last month.
''We have a plan. Everyone gets dings in this championship. It's all about the squad and we believe the guys who will come in are well prepared,'' Foster said. ''They've trained well and they're pretty excited. But there's a couple of things we need to sort before Thursday around that.''
Foster acknowledged South Africa's lineout was a factor, but not a major focus area for an All Black pack that has been travelling well at the set-piece.
''We're comfortable with where we're going in that area and think we've made some good strides the last two or three years. If we focus on our game we think we'll win more than we lose.''
However, if anyone has the ability to disrupt, it is Matfield.
All Black lock Brodie Retallick said he could confirm the 37-year-old Springbok had lost none of his set-piece prowess after marking him for the first time during Super Rugby.
The more lineout options the All Blacks had, he said, the better.
''Height helps but, at the same time, you have people like Kieran [Read] and Richie [McCaw] and Liam [Messam] who are quick across the ground, so that's an advantage to them.
''It is an advantage giving everyone an option to jump. It makes it harder for the defence to read, so hopefully it will help us on the night.''
Meanwhile, Foster said first five-eighth Aaron Cruden had trained freely as he continued to test out the pectoral muscle that kept him out of the test against Argentina.
The All Blacks name their team tomorrow, while the Springboks, who have not beaten the All Blacks on New Zealand soil since 2009, name their team today.
