The unbelievable depth of talent the All Blacks have at their disposal currently will lead to some disappointed Super Rugby stars missing out at Sunday's team announcement.
That's the feeling coming from 1 NEWS Sport reporter Guy Heveldt ahead of this weekend's selections as the All Blacks gear up to host rivals France in a three-Test series next month.
Heveldt told TVNZ1's Breakfast there are three positions in particular which will be heavily contested.
"Number 8, the midfield and the wing," Heveldt said.
"Number 8 because Kieran Read is out of this series - he will go into camp and train with the team but he won't play - so there you've got no captain and you've got to fill Number 8."
Heveldt says there are two options to fill the void of the 108-cap loose forward.
"Luke Whitelock who captained the All Blacks last year and Jordan Taufua who is playing incredibly well for the Crusaders."
Heveldt says the All Blacks will likely take four midfielders in their 32-man squad, backing Test experience over recent experience to be the main criteria they go off.
"There's Nani Laumape, Sonny Bill Williams, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, Rob Thompson - they're all really good players.
"I think they'll probably go with the Likes of Sonny Bill, Laumape and Crotty - I don't know about the fourth."
The same dilemma lies further out on the wing.
"You've got guys like Julian Savea, Wiasake Naholo, Rieko Ioane, Nehe Milner-Skudder and Ben Lam who is scoring tries for fun - who do you pick from that?
"I think Ben Lam might be a little bit unlucky just because the All Blacks love picking players that they know and trust... he'll get a chance at some stage though."
Heveldt also backs either Sam Cane or Sam Whitelock to captain the side in Read's absence.
Possible All Blacks squad
Hookers: Codie Taylor, Nathan Harris, Ricky Riccitelli
Props: Joe Moody, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Owen Franks, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
Locks: Sam Whitelock (captain), Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Vaea Fifita
Loose Forwards: Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Jordan Taufua, Liam Squire, Akira Ioane
Halfbacks: Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
First-fives: Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo'unga
Midfield: Sonny-Bill Williams, Ryan Crotty, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ngani Laumape
Outside Backs: Rieko Ioane, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Waisake Naholo, Jordie Barrett, Ben Smith
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