There is never going to be a perfect time to rest Beauden Barrett but the Melbourne Rebels represent as good a chance as any and the Hurricanes are likely to take it.
Rotating nine All Blacks through two compulsory rest weeks in World Cup year was always going to be a sub-plot to coach Chris Boyd's first year in charge, and Barrett represents the trickiest part of the equation.
But, after five straight wins, the Hurricanes will probably not get a better chance than Friday night to bring in Barrett's backup, James Marshall, with the team named on Wednesday.
"We aren't going to rest guys for the New Zealand games because we know how important that is in terms of the competition, so the Australian and South African games give us an opportunity to potentially rest some of those boys," Hurricanes backs coach Clark Laidlaw said on Monday. "Jimmy's [Marshall] been getting a bit of game time every week and we were lucky enough to get him 25 or 30 minutes against the Force at first five.
"That's been the plan to get Jimmy as much time on the field as possible and we have more than enough confidence for him to start at 10."
Marshall has taken the field in all five of the Hurricanes' wins this season and spent the final 20 minutes against the Force at first five-eighth after starting the match at fullback.
He scored the final try that day and has been an assured figure off the back of a strong season with Taranaki in the national provincial championship.
If Marshall does start, it may also provide reason to bring back goal kicking fullback Jason Woodward, who has been a frustrated spectator despite making a strong start to the season in South Africa.
Aside from Barrett, four other All Blacks - wing Julian Savea, loose forward Victor Vito, prop Ben Franks, and halfback TJ Perenara - are yet to get a rest week which is defined as not being named in the match day 23.
Largely injury-free, the Hurricanes have enough depth to be relaxed about all four positions.
They are stacked in the outside backs, loose forwards and props; and in Chris Smylie and Frae Wilson have two experienced halfbacks waiting in the wings.
Hooker Dane Coles is the other All Black who might yet get another week off after missing the game against the Highlanders with a hyper-extended elbow.
"Fingers crossed Colsey will be fit to go but we were happy with the way Motu [Matu'u] went on the weekend. It was his first start and we all thought he played very well," Laidlaw said.
Further reassurance would have been taken from Brayden Mitchell's late cameo with the unlikely Hurricane making a string of crucial tackles during the Highlanders' frenzied late rally.
Previously injured lock Jeremy Thrush has completed two rest weeks, while in-form second five-eighth Ma'a Nonu, captain Conrad Smith, Coles, and Cory Jane have chalked up one each.
- The Dominion Post
