ABs must take advantage of every opportunity in Cup lead up

TJ Perenara is tackled by Jeronimo De la Fuente of Argentina. Photo / Getty Images

The All Black selectors have talked about giving everyone a lick at the World Cup and offering them all a chance to create their wish-list.

There's nothing like getting one up on your next rivals even if it's just a sliver of psychological advantage.

As the Springboks dust off their Rugby Championship gloves tonight against the Wallabies in Brisbane, the All Blacks will jet across the Ditch for an overnight stay before making the long-haul run to Johannesburg.

There's no conclusive proof that breaking the journey helps but the All Blacks will feel good about putting their feet up in Johannesburg while the Boks are making the trip home.

The All Black intrigue will be about the names in the touring squad, a group which will number 31 to cover any training mishaps or illness.

If the bench was emptied last night against Argentina and there were no significant injuries, 16 players in the extended squad will still be without any match practice in the short run to Rugby World Cup selection.

Most are Highlanders or Hurricanes with Cory Jane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Sam Cane, Joe Moody and the injured Charlie Faumuina making up the rest. Do they all get a run against the Boks or will a few be left behind to resume in the twin Bledisloe Cup series?

The All Black selectors have talked about giving everyone a lick at the World Cup and offering them all a chance to create their wish-list and drop into the final touring party of 31 which will be announced at the end of next month.

By that logic, surely two of the bright stars of the Super Rugby series, Nehe Milner-Skudder and James Broadhurst, will be in the group heading for South Africa.

They demanded places on the All Black squad through their volume of quality work so let's see what they've got at the next level.

What about Lima Sopoaga as well, the five-eighth who guided the Highlanders around so expertly and showed he could hold his goal-kicking nerve. He's a rookie so does he get a real shot at the World Cup or is he just medical insurance?

If he is, he has paid up and needs to be ready if there is another crisis.

If those fringe All Blacks don't get a look in against the Springboks, they are unlikely to get any significant time in the twin clashes against the Wallabies which are the last decent games before the World Cup.

George Moala, Brad Weber, Nepo Laulala and Charlie Ngatai got a gig against Samoa, Waisake Naholo, Laulala and Codie Taylor had a taste last night. Logic demands the other newbies will all travel to South Africa.