All Blacks line-up: Contenders pile on the Tri-Nations pressure

Just before the 2006 end-of-year All Blacks’ tour the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) announced that 22 of their top players would be sitting out the first seven rounds of Super 14 rugby to undergo a “reconditioning” programme. In reality, this programme gave the players some much-needed rest, as well as preparing them for a gruelling year of rugby.

Top players could potentially play 15 Super 14 and six Tri-Nations games before contesting the World Cup, and while many have been critical of the NZRU move, from a player’s perspective it is a good thing.

Without the top 22 All Blacks in the first half of Super 14, many fringe and young players had a chance to shine. With that in mind, here is my All Blacks side based solely on form during the first half of Super 14.

Fullback: Cory Jane (Hurricanes). Jane has shone in a Hurricanes back three that is always looking to counter attack. Solid under the high ball and an excellent tackler, he provides solidity at the back, and his open-field running makes him an attacking threat from just about anywhere on the field. While the Hurricanes have had issues of late, Jane has continued to play well.