All Blacks
15. Ben Smith: Best fullback in the game and backline glue guy, slowly but surely sliding back into top form in Super Rugby. The best in the game from turnover ball. 9/10 14. Israel Dagg: Long spell out with knee injury, but if he proves form on imminent return should hold spot. Eats high balls for breakfast, expert finisher and had started the season brilliantly for the Crusaders. 8/10 13. Ryan Crotty: Have to think Steve Hansen finds a spot for this under-rated but essential midfielder. Didn’t put a foot wrong in 2016, very adaptable and could slot into centre without bother. 8/10 12. Sonny Bill Williams: Is all the fuss really worth it? We might soon see if he finds his best stuff over next month for the Blues. Likely pick if in form and can be a point of difference with his offloads. 7/10 11. Julian Savea: What a difference a year makes. The Bus looks fit, sharp, strong and ready to cut a swathe against the Lions. 9/10 10. Beauden Barrett: Incredible to think, but he might be even better in 2017. Has it on a string and easily world’s best player. Signature series looms a la Dan Carter in 2005. 10/10 9. Aaron Smith: It’s a coin-flip between two quality No 9s in Smith and TJ Perenara but Hansen has always favoured Nugget’s superior speed of clearance when his head is clear. It is now. 8/10 8. Kieran Read (c): You get the feeling the skipper’s delayed entry to Super Rugby will be a master stroke. Should be fresh and peaking by June-July after appearing slightly weary by the end of 2016. 8/10 7. Sam Cane: The setup man. Hansen wants someone to do the hard yards, make hits, clear bodies before Savea comes in late to change the game with his brilliance. And Cane fits the bill perfectly. 7/10 6. Jerome Kaino: No signs yet the warrior blindside’s powers are on the wane, even at 34. Physicality crucial in this battle, and he brings it in spades. Liam Squire is keeping him honest, though. 8/10 5. Sam Whitelock: On top of his game and relishing captaincy at the Crusaders. Half of possibly the best second-row pairing in All Blacks history. 9/10 4. Brodie Retallick: Might be the perfect lock. Great size, incredible skill and a motor that never stops. It’s a strong position for Lions, but not this level. Pray the big man doesn’t get injured. 9/10 3. Owen Franks: Just goes about his work, scrums the house down and does the dirty work. Makes a few tackles, too, and hits the ruck hard. 8/10 2. Dane Coles: Best in the business when fit. Big challenge to shake off that calf niggle and recapture top form. However, he has time on his side and apparently the All Blacks selectors are not worried by the layoff. 9/10 1. Joe Moody: Anchor of the scrum and another hard-nosed performer who won’t take a backward step. Getting plenty of game time at the Crusaders ahead of Wyatt Crockett. 8/10 Bench: Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Scott Barrett, Ardie Savea; TJ Perenara, Aaron Cruden, Anton LienertBrown. One of the All Blacks’ most significant weapons. Every one of these guys is capable of coming in and changing the game. 9/10 TOTAL 134 Marc Hinton