As usual, mystery surrounds who will wear the centre jersey but a towering battle for the two locking berths also adds intrigue to tomorrow's All Blacks rugby team naming.
Coach Graham Henry's pre-tour goal of settling on his best 15 and 22 becomes a reality when he unveils the team to face France in their second test at Paris on Sunday morning, fresh from having hammered the hosts 47-3 at Lyon last weekend.
A frightening measure of the All Blacks' depth is that about half that team were likely to change this week.
Two players sure to be there are stars Daniel Carter and Richie McCaw, who assistant coach Steve Hansen said were the only obvious selections.
"Richie and DC can probably get plenty of sleep but everyone else, it's going to be hard job to pick them," Hansen said.
"It'll be the best team for that particular game."
The comments suggest first five-eighth Nick Evans, whose hamstring injury ruled him out of the first half of the tour, will remain the only man in the 32-strong squad not to get field time, although he could yet earn a substitute's berth.
After a year of auditions for the retired Tana Umaga's No 13 jersey, a winner will at last be announced. Following his successful return to the test scene after a year away recuperating from a broke leg, Conrad Smith is favoured to head off Ma'a Nonu.
A complication could be that the selectors want fullback Mils Muliaina to start at centre, as he did for the much of the Tri-Nations, to accommodate Leon MacDonald at the back.
Assuming Smith starts, he will almost certainly combine for the first time with second five-eighth Aaron Mauger, both outside a halves pairing of Byron Kelleher and Carter.
Three wings won't go into two and the trio on this tour have staked strong claims. Joe Rokocoko would have left home ranked No.1 but cousin Sitiveni Sivivatu was electric yesterday while Rico Gear is consistency personified.
Niggles notwithstanding, Rodney So'oialo, Jerry Collins and McCaw should remain together to terrorise the French once more while there is more prospect of change to the front row.
The selectors may want to start prop Neemia Tialata, to relieve the tour workload for Tony Woodcock or Carl Hayman, although that would be contrary to tour policy.
Regular first choice hooker Keven Mealamu should regain his spot from Anton Oliver.
The decision to bring five locks on tour meant it was always going to be a contentious spot.
Keith Robinson's return from injury has been so impressive, he is perhaps now the first name pencilled in, as long as his health holds.
It could be 56-test veteran Chris Jack who is under most pressure from his long-time partner Ali Williams, who was explosive against the French at Lyon.
James Ryan was superb on return while Jason Eaton showed up strongly off the bench. Despite their form, both will be reduced to the role of spectators.
Possible All Black team:
Mils Muliaina, Rico Gear, Conrad Smith, Aaron Mauger, Joe Rokocoko, Daniel Carter, Byron Kelleher, Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerry Collins, Chris Jack, Keith Robinson, Carl Hayman, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock.
Reserves:
Leon MacDonald, Ma'a Nonu, Piri Weepu, Chris Masoe, Ali Williams, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore.
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