As the All Blacks build their depth, competition for places has become more intense on this European tour and nowhere is the battle fiercer than at blindside.
Liam Messam, against the odds having initially been left out of the squad back in June, has nailed down the No6 jersey in 2012. He's come of age this year, playing more consistently and without the erratic blips or tendency to try the impossible.
He's a different player - but is he the right player, the one the All Blacks see as replacing Jerome Kaino in the long-term?
It's hard to believe he is, even if he continues to play how he has been. Messam is solid, tough and committed - qualities the All Blacks demand. His work in the tight this year has impressed; it is much improved. But as well as he's played, there is no doubt the All Blacks have their eyes open for alternatives. Messam, at 1.88m and 108kg, is not as small as everyone seems to say he is but there are bigger athletes around and when it comes to blindsides, that's critical. Victor Vito, the man currently pushing Messam the hardest, is one of those bigger athletes. He's a beast, in fact - listed at 1.92m and 112kg, he looks even bigger in the flesh and, much to All Black coach Steve Hansen's delight, is starting to play like he's a big man, too.
Vito's athletic potential has been obvious since he made such an impression at the Wellington Sevens five years ago. The speed and ball skills have always been there but the grinding, bruising, graft required to cut it at the top level have been harder for him to produce.