Stocktake time

[cashead]

Let's have a squiz at each position, and see how the cupboard's looking at the moment.


Hooker
The depth here is actually pretty good, with each team having at least one hooker with test experience. Codie Taylor, despite having only 15 caps, will be in his 3rd year as a consistent All Black squad member, while the third hooker position has healthy competition in the form of Nathan Harris, James Parsons and Liam Coltman. Harris would probably have a hell of a lot more than 3 caps to his name, were it not for his frequent injury problems, which probably puts Coltman and Parsons slightly ahead of him - Coltman has a longer future than Parsons, while Parsons is now a seasoned veteran of provincial and Super Rugby, with reasonable leadership experience. There is also the forgotten man that is Hika Elliot, who's 2015 call-up indicates he's still on the selectors' minds, while Ash Dixon can provide further coverage there, and on current form, he probably deserves a look (and would likely have got one, were it not for his comparatively advanced age). Longer term, we also saw the emergence of Ricky Riccitelli at the Hurricanes as Coles' more than able back-up.

Prop
Out of the specialists, both loosehead and tighthead have a couple of capable players - the stalwarts that are Wyatt Crockett and Owen Franks, as well as Joe Moody and Nepo Laulala, who was desperately unlucky to get injured last year.
At loosehead, backing up Crockett and Moody is Pauliasi Manu, who is the only World Cup winner to receive a winner's medal before his test debut, whom based on his call-up to the 2015 RWC squad, is the 3rd choice loosehead when fit.
At tighthead, the impending departure of Charlie Faumuina will hurt stocks, but this will be Jeff Toomaga-Allen's chance to force his way back into test contention.
Out of the utility props, Tu'ungafasi clearly is rated by the selectors, as he has the raw tools to be world class while Kane Hames has quietly achieved a fair amount, earning a call-up to the Bledisloe series last year. Another utility is Riccitelli, who has logged plenty of time at loosehead prop for Hawke's Bay, making him a potentially useful squad member.

Locks
Definitely one of the points of strength for the All Blacks, with two of the best locks in the world in Retallick and Whitelock, with Luke Romano as a solid back-up, while Scott Barrett made a comfortable transition to test rugby. It's hard to gauge whether there is a lack of depth in quality though, as the sudden dearth of locks in Chicago last year was one of those freak occurrences where the two starters were suddenly unavailable in the short-term and the best back-up had to go home due to personal reasons.
That said, we've also seen Paddy Tuipulotu emerge, while Dom Bird had a solid campaign for the Chiefs last year - another one this year could force the selectors' hands. The selectors are also clearly keen on Tom Franklin, who was unlucky not to get a chance to earn a test cap.
Long term, we saw a big first season for Michael Fatialofa, who impressed with the Hurricanes. Other prospects include Northland's Josh Goodhue and Tasman's Quinten Strange, who will be with the Blues and the Crusaders, respectively this year.

Loose Forwards
The squad will have 3 experienced blindside flankers to consider, with the incumbent Jerome Kaino, the resurgent Steven Luatua and the returning Liam Messam. Kaino, barring injury or a disastrous loss of form, will probably hold the 6 jersey (or 8 if needed), meaning Messam and Luatua will not only be competing with each other, but also Elliot Dixon and Josh Squire from the capped bunch, as well as the likes of Jordan Taufua of the Crusaders, and the Hurricanes' Brad Shields.
Openside flanker is also in fairly rude health, with Sam Cane, Ardie Savia and Matt Todd all making solid claims for the 7 jersey last year. Of the uncapped mob, Northland's Pryor brothers (Dan and Kara) have impressed at 7 for their respective Super Rugby sides, while Blake Gibson potentially has a big future ahead of him.
No. 8 also sees some solid back-ups to captain Kieran Read, with Akira Ioane, Luke Whitelock and Blade Thomson likely having to also prove they can fill in at 6 or 7. Victor Vito's departure is definitely not ideal (although understandable), which will probably put Thomson or Shields in with a shout.

[cashead]

Half-backs
Aaron Smith probably lost his spot as the incumbent 9, but at the same time, TJ Perenara came of age at the test level. Kerr-Barlow has also impressed in the past, and his style of play is different enough from the other 2, that he'd be a useful addition to account for differing playing conditions. Behind them, Gus Pulu will be looking to re-establish himself with the Blues, Weber will be out to replicate his 2016 form where he was arguably the form NZ halfback for much of the Super Rugby season, and both Mitch Drummond and Bryn Hall will be seeking to establish themselves as the Crusaders' preferred halfback.

Five-Eighths
Beauden Barrett and Aaron Cruden are is the clear incumbents, with Barrett edging ahead of Cruden. It also seemed like Barrett found his goal-kicking boots, putting in a solid shift there in Europe, while Lima Sopoaga has finally got himself a consistent spot in the squad (and is the best goalkicker out of the 3).
Behind them at 10 will be Ihaia West, who flourished once the Blues midfield sorted itself out, and Richie Mo'unga who looked surprisingly comfortable in his first season with the Crusaders.
There will likely also be a challenge from Piers Francis, who will be eligible for the All Blacks next year. His big asset is his ability to play at 10 and 12, and his assured presence and solid work as a second play-maker and backline general for the Blues saw a huge lift in their performances in the back end of the 2016 season.

Midfield
The midfield position will be heavily congested - Ryan Crotty and Anton Lienert-Brown definitely established themselves as the preferred 12-13 combination last year, while the likes of George Moala and Malakai Fekitoa can all make solid claims for a spot in the squad. We will also see the return of Charlie Ngatai, who could have been the incumbent 12 were it not for an unfortunate concussion, and SBW. The 2016 season also saw the emergence of Matt Faddes as someone to keep an eye on and Richard Buckman at 12 was a key component of the Highlanders backline in their 2015 season, while Rieko Ioane and Rene Ranger at the Blues, as well as Seta Tamanivalu, now at the Crusaders, will also want to add to their test experience.

Back Three
The wings look fairly healthy, with Julian Savea and Waisake Naholo as the specialist wingers, and the emergence of the likes of Melani Nanai and Lolagi Visinia as potential winger/fullbacks. Matt Duffie has also developed into a quality winger/fullback, after Tana Umaga took his time in acclimating him back into union. Nehe Milner-Skudder will be making his long-awaited return from injury, where he will be looking to reclaim his 14 jersey. In other players "returning from the wilderness," Declan O'Donnell will also want to stake a claim, as he is definitely talented enough.
The fullback position is the one that is in flux, with talk of Ben Smith and Israel Dagg courting offers from Europe (although it seems Bender will likely not be heading to Ireland based on Rassie Erasmus' statements re: the IRFU's directive on player recruitment). This may open the door again for Cory Jane, who's Japanese commitments shouldn't affect his eligibility, as he'll still be with the Hurricanes. Damien McKenzie may be thrust into the incumbent position.

[Lizard]

Well you can cross Cruden off your list.

[dk4]

Brilliant update cashead. Thanks for all the informaiotion.

[rowan]

Interesting article about the decline of rugby in the nation's biggest city. All Blacks may be World Champions but Auckland are struggling in Super Rugby. The good news is 7s and women's rugby have never been more popular: http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-n ... aken-a-hit

[scuzzaman]

Nice work, Cashead. Much appreciated. Since I don't live in NZ any longer, it is good to catch up with some of the newcomers rising in the ranks. But that aside, a great summary. Kudos.

[cashead]

Looks like there's something up with Paddy T, and he may be unavailable for a while.

The coverage at lock is fine, and I hope he is able to get whatever it is that is rustling his jimmies sorted out.

[cashead]

Bender looks to be staying. Not sure for how long though.

[Spy]

Bender looks to be staying. Not sure for how long though.

If he stays, and let's hope he does, it will surely be through to the next WC. Pretty pointless otherwise. Also hope Smith staying doesn't mean Dagg shoots through.

[cashead]

Patrick Tuipulotu's is currently on what is essentially indefinite leave. Whatever it is that's going on, it's pretty huge.

Charlie Ngatai will definitely miss the start of the Chiefs season, which is a shame.

[Spy]

Patrick Tuipulotu's is currently on what is essentially indefinite leave. Whatever it is that's going on, it's pretty huge.

Yeah, considering that he left the EOYT early. That's nearly 3 months ago, assuming it's the same crisis that's still affecting him now. Doesn't seem good.

[Spy]

http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/arti ... d=11795012

Very bad news indeed. Also rather unsavoury that this has been kept secret all this time.

[Doorzetbornandbred]

http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/arti ... d=11795012

Very bad news indeed. Also rather unsavoury that this has been kept secret all this time.

How many more are on the juice?

[Len]

http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/arti ... d=11795012

Very bad news indeed. Also rather unsavoury that this has been kept secret all this time.

How many more are on the juice?

Probably shitloads. Its rife over here at domestic level.

[Doorzetbornandbred]

Bender looks to be staying. Not sure for how long though.

If he stays, and let's hope he does, it will surely be through to the next WC. Pretty pointless otherwise. Also hope Smith staying doesn't mean Dagg shoots through.

Signed till 2020 apparently.

[cashead]

http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/arti ... d=11795012

Very bad news indeed. Also rather unsavoury that this has been kept secret all this time.

Or not. He's been cleared after his B sample came up clean.

[Spy]

Yes, brilliant news. Tuipulotu is a key player for the Blues. Call me naive perhaps, but I like to think of rugby as being a pretty clean sport in this regard.

I still think concealing a failed drug test under "personal issues" and staying mum about it is not the right approach. Personal issues are health or family or financial problems, things unrelated to the game. Better to make a clean breast: "Failed a drug test, but has no idea how it could have happened, and we are waiting on the results of the B sample". A further issue is that a future player with genuine personal issues could fall under public suspicion of a failed drug test while they are taking a break from the game to sort their personal problem out.

[paddy no 11]

This doesn't seem remotely dubious at all

[scuzzaman]

This doesn't seem remotely dubious at all

Top Kek.

[Doorzetbornandbred]

Dagg signed till 2019

[Spy]

Tidy

[morepork]

Nice work Izzy. You too shall get a Versatile home and choice of hockey player.

[jimKRFC]

Steven Luatua rumoured to be joining Bristol, i guess on a short term deal.

[cashead]

Confirmed yesterday.

He's opted to go overseas to make what he can while he's still got a viable career, in order to provide a comfortable life for his family. Fair enough, I guess.

[zer0]

Disappointed that Luatua is leaving. But there's always potential up-and-comers to replace him. Joe Edwards and Josh Goodhue immediately spring to mind at the Blues.