Japan test will give fringe players brief taste of All Blacks action

The All Blacks are about to send a small army overseas, with coach Steve Hansen indicating a whopping 51 players will be used to deal with Australia, Japan and three Northern Hemisphere opponents.

After the initial assignment against Australia in Yokohama late this month, the main squad of 32 will be split, with about 10 remaining to play Japan in Tokyo, where they will be joined by a reserve force of 19.

The rest of the main squad, under the guidance of trainer Nic Gill, will head to Europe early where England, Ireland and Italy await.

It’s a great opportunity for a lucky few to nab All Black jerseys, although an admittedly limited history suggests a test against Japan is not the foundation for a long career.

Blues loose forward Blake Gibson has leapt into the early headlines as a potential clip-on in Nippon.

In 2013, four players made their All Black debuts in Tokyo but none became test stars. For two others, it was the end of a short road.

Luke Whitelock was a roaring success but had to wait another four years to play another test, and has amassed a total of six.

He was a late withdrawal against Argentina recently, giving Ardie Savea a starting chance. It was a break Savea hasn’t wasted, sending Whitelock back to the also-rans.

For flying Frank Halai, the Tongaborn wing from Counties Manukau, this was his only appearance in the

black jersey. Halai, who scored a try in the romp, headed off a couple of years later and plays for Pau in France.

Dominic Bird played one more test, against Scotland the following year, and was never seen in black again. The Chiefs lock recently signed for a French club.

Jeffery Toomaga-Allen is still on the All Black fringes, but Tokyo 2013 remains his only test. He got 10 minutes in that game and might get another crack this time, although he has dropped down the prop pecking order again.

It was the last of two tests for Auckland midfield back Francis Saili and the last of three for Canterbury inside back Tom Taylor. Saili is now at Harlequins and Taylor is at Pau.