Shaun Stevenson of All Blacks XV dives in to score a try. Photo: Simon West/Photosport
Analysis - So now we know the full, extended All Black squad to the northern hemisphere next month. With all due respect to the All Blacks XV's opponents, the main attention on the national B team is going to be just how many of them are going to be used in the test matches the top side plays.
Scott Robertson has already said that up to half a dozen ABXV players will be used in the test against Japan on 26 October, then presumably again in the last test of the year against Italy in Turin.
So just who are they likely to be? One of the most intriguing areas is the loose forwards, where Robertson will be wanting to keep his front liners ready for the England test a week later. Peter Lakai and Du'Plessis Kirifi are likely candidates to fill bench spots behind a rotated back row comprising Luke Jacobson, Samipeni Finau and Dalton Papali'i.
Of course, the big inclusion is Hoskins Sotutu, who was controversially overlooked for the All Blacks after a standout Super Rugby Pacific campaign - but just what does Robertson do with him now? There was no way he was going to displace Ardie Savea at number eight anyway, so only a serious turn of events would see him elevated back to the test side. If nothing else, it wouldn't make sense in terms of Robertson's initial selection strategy that's seen him pretty vindicated in picking Wallace Sititi anyway.
Hoskins Sotutu of Counties Manukau scores a try. Photo: Joseph Johnson/ActionPress
Fabian Holland's fast tracking into a black jersey is certainly a sign that the Dutch-born lock is ready for the big time, so he may factor too over Josh Lord and Isaia Walker-Leawere. Xavier Numia is another player out of the capital with an extremely impressive body of work this season, had it not been for an injury at the back end of Super Rugby Pacific he would probably have been in the All Blacks by now anyway.
So there's a few compelling cases in the forwards. In the backs, this Japan test would be the perfect environment for Harry Plummer to get a start, given his game management skills. Damian McKenzie and Beauden Barrett are both going to have heavy workloads over the following few weeks so giving Plummer the keys is a safe option, besides, all three have high utility value if selected off the bench.
Noah Hotham and Finlay Christie are interesting cases, who admittedly would probably only come into consideration if there are injuries in the main squad. Hotham is ahead on the depth chart, but Christie has the test experience, plus is the starting halfback for the pair's provincial side.
Dallas McLeod's career is trending back upwards after his call up, the one-test All Black was unable to make the Crusaders starting team earlier this year (although that may have been a blessing in disguise). Teammate Chay Fihaki has been named too, after his call up as All Black injury cover a fortnight ago raised a few eyebrows.
Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan and Crusaders coach Scott Robertson. Photo: Martin Hunter/ www.photosport.nz
However, the men he leapfrogged for that spot will be lining up alongside him now. Emoni Narawa and Shaun Stevenson have been included, with one All Black wing spot seemingly up for grabs there's every chance any of those three may get drafted in, although Kini Naholo might have something to say about that.
So really with the rest of the team there's more of a development feel: Riley Higgins and Josh Jacomb are certainly players for the future, who will benefit immensely from being in this environment. One guy who is probably wondering just what he has to do is Ricky Riccitelli, though - he was an integral part of the Blues' success this season only to see the man he kept on the bench, Kurt Eklund, selected ahead of him.
While the role these players have remains to be seen, one thing was made clear today. The All Blacks XV members whose provinces make the NPC final will leave for the tour the day after, which will be a welcome relief to the likes of Wellington, Taranaki and Tasman - all of whom stood to be stripped of some serious firepower.
All Blacks XV squad
Props: Xavier Numia, George Dyer, Saula Ma'u, Marcel Renata, George Bower
Hookers: Brodie McAlister, Kurt Eklund, Bradley Slater
Locks: Josh Lord, Fabian Holland, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Naitoa Ah Kuoi
Loose Forwards: Du'Plessis Kirifi, Peter Lakai, Hoskins Sotutu, Oliver Haig, Christian Lio-Willie
Halfbacks: Noah Hotham, Finlay Christie
First five-eighths: Harry Plummer, Josh Jacomb
Mid-fielders: Quinn Tupaea, Riley Higgins, AJ Lam, Dallas McLeod
Outside backs: Kini Naholo, Emoni Narawa, Chay Fihaki, Shaun Stevenson
