Who’s in contention ahead of the tests against England?
Having completed the task of shaping Scott Barrett into a professional rugby player, his makers then chucked the mould off the top floor of a skyscraper and asked that the pieces be buried under the sea floor.
He’s one of a kind. It doesn’t matter where you look, you won’t find many second rowers in New Zealand who can match the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine that is trapped under his ribcage.
Unlike many internationals who take a couple of games to find their rhythm following an injury, Crusaders captain and lock Barrett hustled his way to the front of the queue and demanded a heavy workload during the 39-0 win over the Rebels in their Super Rugby Pacific fixture in Christchurch last Friday night.
Like an All Blacks captain-in-waiting at Apollo Projects Stadium, he inspired his team-mates to fulfil their potential and secure the team’s second win of the season, and it won’t have gone unnoticed by All Blacks coach Scott Robertson.
Yet to confirm his skipper for the two tests against England in Dunedin and Auckland in July, Robertson may be unable to resist the urge of appointing Barrett ahead of the Japan-based Sam Cane.
The latest round of games gave Robertson multiple reasons to contemplate his selections ahead of the two July tests.
This is the second edition of the season of Stuff’s All Blacks barometer.
Players such as Ardie Savea, Beauden Barrett and Cane haven’t been considered because they’re based in Japan. Shaun Stevenson gets his hands on the No 15 jersey.
The Hurricanes’ Ruben Love was the form fullback earlier in the season, but things have changed.
Coach Clark Laidlaw named him on the bench for the round-nine game against the Fijian Drua in Suva, and upon his return to the starting role he was relatively quiet during last weekend’s loss to the Brumbies in Canberra.
Sevu Reece and Mark Telea remain on the wings.
Caleb Clarke made an impact with a line break against the tiring defensive line for the Blues against the Waratahs in Sydney, after being chucked into the fray from the reserves bench.
Jordie Barrett, like many of his Hurricanes team-mates, won’t reflect on the game in Canberra with a great deal of fondness but we’ve stuck with him and Rieko Ioane as the starting midfielders.
Anton Lienert-Brown, capable of filling in at No 12 or 13 and experience oozing out of every pore, remains a prized asset due to his versatility and experience.
David Havili is the big mover, having made a comeback for the Crusaders in Christchurch. Injury had kept Havili out of the team previously, and he replaced starting No 12 Dallas McLeod as their team produced a victory against the Rebels.
Damian McKenzie would have to produce a series of stinkers to be told the No 10 jersey was no longer his.
Because Beauden Barrett is in Japan, McKenzie continues to have a path cleared for him.
With Stephen Perofeta injured, Harry Plummer has relished having the keys to the Blues backline. He’s not let down coach Vern Cotter. Plummer can also cover No 12, which could be handy in a test squad.
Things move fast in this industry, and the jostling for the role of top dog in the absence of the injured Cameron Roigard shapes as one of the big discussion topics ahead of the playoffs.
Although veteran TJ Perenara was below par during the Hurricanes’ loss to the Brumbies last weekend, his earlier efforts for the team warrant consideration. He’s still regarded as the best No 9. Blues man Finlay Christie remains sidelined with injury.
Keep an eye on the Chiefs’ Cortez Ratima. He’s always showed promise.
Ratima loved the magic carpet ride he got from his aggressive forwards against the Waratahs in Sydney, and keeps pushing for higher honours.
New Zealand rugby heads often agree on one thing when discussing their blindside flankers.
They want a big, aggressive man, who defends his lane with the authority of a bodyguard and is also a reliable lineout option. Someone like Jerome Kaino, in other words.
Chiefs No 6 Samipeni Finau, who made an appearance for the All Blacks last year, was the talk of the tournament after his tackle on Waratahs playmaker Tane Edmed last weekend.
Wallace Sititi, who has been excellent at No 8 for the Chiefs, has been a revelation but we elected to go with Hoskins Sotutu in that position after being impressed by his recent efforts.
Bang! Scott Barrett returns from injury to lead the Crusaders to a much-needed win, and makes a significant difference to a team suffering from a lack of confidence.
Blues big man Patrick Tuipulotu appears to have benefited from a delayed arrival to the competition because of his own injury issues. His form is getting hotter each week.
Young Crusaders lock Jamie Hannah is one to keep tabs on. He impresses with his ball carries, adding another dimension to his game.
Although it wasn’t the Hurricanes' finest performance, when they lost to the Brumbies, we’ve remained loyal to their starting props.
The Crusaders scrum was tremendous against the Rebels, forcing a change in front rowers before halftime.
George Bower and Fletcher Newell, who started ahead of another pair of All Blacks in Joe Moody and Owen Franks, relished the business of folding the opposition pack.
With Asafo Aumua sidelined with a knee injury, Samisoni Taukei’aho gets the No 2 jersey. The Hurricanes have not named James O’Reilly this week due to concussion, but we’re hoping it isn’t a long-term issue and kept him on our list.
There is talk that Codie Taylor isn’t far away from joining the Crusaders, after his extended off-season break. We’ve taken advantage of that and chucked him into the mix.
A refreshed Taylor will be welcomed by Robertson. The Englishmen are scheduled to arrive in New Zealand in two months and it’s the old heads who could make all the difference.