All Blacks coach Steve Hansen won't break too many hearts in
naming his 41-strong squad to contest a one-off test against Samoa, the Rugby
Championship and an extra Bledisloe Cup test against the Wallabies.
The harsher cull will come on August 30 when he names the 31-man squad to play for the Webb Ellis Cup in England later this year.
With the wriggle room of a larger than normal squad, Hansen still has some tough choices to make, but he also has room to look at some players who could add a new dimension.
The core of the squad is fairly predictable and the injured quartet of Aaron Cruden, Patrick Tuipulotu, Steven Luatua, and August Pulu are not expected to be considered, but there will be high intrigue as the names are called out at Auckland Grammar from 2.45pm.
Highlanders wing Waisake Naholo stands out as the most likely uncapped player to earn a call-up after his breakout season down south.
One wonders if Super Rugby's pacesetting Hurricanes could also be rewarded, Blade Thomson's ability to play lock and loose forward making him an attractive prospect along with openside Ardie Savea, who would provide a ready-made backup should Richie McCaw or Sam Cane hit injury problems.
Halfback, hooker, lock, and the fate of Crusaders fullback Israel Dagg and Ireland-bound Blues utility Charles Piutau, are among the most intriguing plot lines.
Dagg has hardly been spotted in Super Rugby due to an ongoing calf strain and had little form prior, but has been a loyal and well performed All Black over a long period.
It's hard to see how he makes it with Ben Smith clearly the best fullback in the world, and Colin Slade and Beauden Barrett more than adequate cover.
Hurricanes stepper Nehe Milner-Skudder may have piqued the selection panel's attention with his line breaking ability, but would be a bold pick.
Aaron Smith and TJ Perenara are the top two No 9s, but has Tawera Kerr-Barlow come back soon enough from his knee injury, or do the All Blacks think Brad Weber's quick pass is best suited to their style?
Dane Coles is the top hooker, but with ageing Keven Mealamu a going concern, it wouldn't surprise if there were four rakes in the squad with Nathan Harris to return, and Hika Elliot to get a well earned recall.
And at lock there could be a straight choice between Hurricanes team-mates Jeremy Thrush and James Broadhurst if there are only four spots. Thrush was a proven and reliable All Black last year, man of the match against Scotland at Murrayfield, while Broadhurst has been a ball carrying revelation in Super Rugby.
It's hard to see how Highlanders' first-five Lima Sopoaga fits considering the presence of Dan Carter, Barrett and Slade, but it wouldn't be a bad move to future proof the talented Wellingtonian.
The squad selected will gather for training camps in Auckland next week, but will be missing those players involved in the Super Rugby semifinals.
Similarly, the following week players involved in the final will not be part of the build up to the test against Samoa in Apia on July 8.
All of them will be on trial until August 30 when Hansen will name his final 31-man squad for the World Cup.
