Queue for ABs
particular — they want to take a look at in June before they have to make even tougher decisions for the Rugby Championship when they have to carry a smaller squad.
Ben Lam has made a compelling case for inclusion, scoring nine tries and demonstrating he has incredible pace, power and a finely honed finisher’s instinct.
There has been genuine quality about his work and it won’t have gone unnoticed that he’s been prolific against fellow Kiwi sides.
Sometimes the selectors have their hand forced by the form of an individual and this would seem to be one of those cases.
Players have to believe they will be rewarded if they provide definitive evidence of their readiness and Lam could not have done more to say he is ready.
He’s also the sort of athlete the All Blacks will fancy can transition
Fquickly from Super Rugby to test football and they would most likely want that theory tested in June and then use what they see there to determine the next steps.
The other player possibly forcing their hand is Jack Goodhue. The Crusaders midfielder has been in and around the squad for the past year but hasn’t yet played a test.
Like Lam, he’s played with such authority, consistency and creativity in 2018 that it feels like he’s earned the right to see whether he can do that at the next level. But how to fit them in when others such as Ben Smith, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane and Waisake Naholo continue to perform as well as they do?
Israel Dagg has also made a return to action and it’s hard to imagine the All Blacks will discard his experience, versatility and proven ability to perform until they have an overwhelming reason to.
Nehe Milner-Skudder is also back playing and he brings a unique skillset that the coaches won’t feel good about leaving out of their mix.
It’s the same in the midfield, where Ngani Laumape has again been exceptional as he was last year and would it be a just decision to leave him or Anton Lienert-Brown out for Goodhue to work alongside the likely first choice pairing of Sonny Bill Williams and Ryan Crotty?
If the selectors want to make room for Lam and Goodhue, then perhaps it will be Luke Romano or Patrick Tuipulotu who miss out. Maybe Matt Todd or Ardie Savea will have to miss out to create space for a third halfback.
The only certainty is that no matter what strategic goals the selectors priotitise, there are going to be several good players hearing bad news later next month when the squad is finalised.