ABs’ maths problem: four into 10

ALL BLACKS coach Steve Hansen has wasted no time in throwing a curve-ball at his Wales opposite, Warren Gatland.

After arriving in Cardiff yesterday, Hansen said deciding who to select at first five-eighth out of Dan Carter, Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett and Colin Slade would be his toughest task ahead of Sunday’s season finale.

‘‘The hardest part about it which ones do we leave out.

‘‘We have four of them and they’re all in good form,’’ Hansen said. ‘‘Dan is behind the eight ball with game time but he’s world class. Crudes has proven he can do the job, and Barrett and Slade have both been very good. It’ll be a matter of who we leave out, rather than who we put in.’’

Most would be surprised if it were not a two-horse race between Cruden and Barrett.

Carter was rusty against Scotland and may be better to head back to Super Rugby next year, rather than denting his confidence or picking up another niggle heading into summer.

Barrett and Slade are ideal in that they can cover fullback, wing and first five-eighth from the reserves.

Slade’s form has clearly impressed his coach over the past three weeks but it would be a big

is call for him to leapfrog Barrett in the pecking order.

The Taranaki pivot has largely been outstanding all season and did nothing wrong in his 21 minutes against England.

That has been his only game time so far on this tour and it would seem a wasted opportunity not to continue his progression in front of a massive Welsh crowd.

Cruden scored a try and managed a difficult start at Twickenham but has been struggling from the kicking tee.

So could there be a temptation to start Barrett with Slade rewarded for his efforts with another cap in the reserves?

One could argue it would be in Carter’s interest to get back on the bike, and that he would return to his world-class best if paired outside halfback Aaron Smith and inside Sonny Bill Williams.

But on the evidence of the USA and Scotland matches, that has become a tenuous argument.

Whatever happens, Hansen will be happy for Gatland to stay up the next few nights wondering just who will be pulling the strings at Millennium Stadium.

Other than that, Hansen hinted lock Jeremy Thrush’s man-of-thematch performance at Murrayfield may have pushed him into the final squad of the year.

The All Blacks arrived in Cardiff minus No 8 Victor Vito and lock Dominic Bird, who are both on their way home following the scratchy 24-16 win over Scotland.

Vito pulled a calf muscle, while Bird is surplus to requirements now Brodie Retallick and Patrick Tuipulotu have both recovered from their shoulder injuries.

Assuming Retallick and Sam Whitelock will start against Wales, one of Tuipulotu or Thrush is the obvious reserve lock.

‘‘There were some guys who played really well. and others not so well,’’ Hansen said of the Scotland match.

‘‘We’ll have a good discussion on Monday night when we pick the team.

‘‘We’ll go in with what we think is the best group to do the job. Thrushy obviously played pretty well, didn’t he, so there’s one name for you.

‘‘[Piutau] was pretty good, he did everything we asked him to do. He was good in the air, aggressive in the tackle.

‘‘He’s busy but without having to name the team tonight, there’s not too much more I can give you,’’ Hansen said.

The All Blacks are in good shape after the majority of the first-string side either skipped the Scotland test or played limited minutes.

Meanwhile,

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Conrad Smith, who returned home for personal reasons last week, was due to rejoin the squad overnight after catching a train from London.

Asked if Smith’s personal situation had been resolved, Hansen said: ‘‘I’m assuming it all is [OK] because he’s here. There’s nothing [more to say].’’