All Blacks: Door still open for unlucky group

Blues centre Rene Ranger has been called in to the All Blacks squad as cover for injured players. Photo / Getty Images

The clock may be ticking and hope fading but some of those unfortunate to miss All Black selection last week still have a chance of forcing their way in.

The door hasn't shut on Ben Smith, Rene Ranger, Rudi Wulf, John Afoa, Alby Mathewson, Kahn Foutali'i and Sam Whitelock. These are the unlucky men - the group who came closest; whose names were deliberated at length before being omitted.

Smith and Ranger have shown that, as both have been called up as injury cover.

Wulf is probably the next cab - also just one injury away - from a call-up. He'd be brought in if either Cory Jane or Zac Guildford, the two best wings under the high ball, were to be ruled out.

He or Smith may even be elevated into the Tri Nations squad of 30 as doubts persist about whether the coaches are convinced Joe Rokocoko is a genuine option against the kick-and-chase Springboks.

With two trusted, known halfbacks already in the mix, if a third is to make the Tri Nations squad, surely it will be someone with a critical point of difference - with a running game and a spark about them.

Whitelock, already in camp as cover for Tom Donnelly, is clearly on the rise and a player the panel want to blood slowly.

Afoa's switch to hooker will be closely monitored, as the instant he proves he can throw under pressure, he's going to be of huge interest.

The message to this group is clear - they have to return to their provinces, continue to play as they have so far this season and make the selectors pick them.

They aren't that far away. They have skill sets that are relevant. All it will take is an injury to someone ahead of them.

Wulf especially has to believe that. He has the option of leaving should he not make the Tri Nations squad and Toulon are believed to be wooing him.

It's proving to be a battle for the All Black coaches to get across how close some players are. In recent weeks there has been a raft of overseas departures - mainly players who have either been capped or players who believe they are never likely to be capped.

At least one departee blew his chance of a test debut as Graham Henry has said the player in question would have been in the 26 had he stayed.

It's not an easy decision for fringe players. There is big money from offshore clubs made more tempting by the knowledge it's unlikely to be around next year when bigger fish will be available.

Against that, they have to weigh up their opportunities in New Zealand. If they have missed All Black selection and there is only 15 months to the World Cup can they really force their way into contention?

If they seek advice, assessment of where they stand from the All Black coaching panel, will they hear the truth or overly encouraging noises to stay? Coaches, after all, always want maximum resources.

"I don't think they will hear anything disingenuous from the coaches," says general manager of professional rugby Neil Sorensen.

The reality, as has become clear, is that players can go from the fringe of the fringe to All Black starter in a matter of weeks; Benson Stanley being the best example. Patience can bring the ultimate reward.

But not everyone should see it that way. For the likes of Liam Messam, Brendon Leonard, Andy Ellis, Rodney So'oialo, Stephen Donald, Hosea Gear, Mike Delany and Jason Eaton, their time may have gone.

It's certainly hard to see Donald featuring again. His injury will keep him out until October, too late to win a spot on the end of year tour. Aaron Cruden, by then, could have nailed the back-up role at first five and with Sonny Bill Williams possibly available and Luke McAlister possibly back in form, there will be depth at second five. That will make life just as tricky for Delany and the uncapped Stephen Brett.

Messam hasn't managed to convince in his previous test appearances and has been usurped by Victor Vito. There is really only room for either Vito or Messam and the Wellington loose forward looks the real deal.

It's expected that Tanerau Latimer will join the Tri Nations squad as specialist cover at openside. So'oialo has become a rainy day option - a gnarled, experienced soldier who can be called for in emergencies.

Leonard and Ellis are in a crowd of halfbacks. If they want to resurrect their test careers, their form is going to have to be compelling.

Eaton has so much ground to make up and so little time. He's a big man and it will take him time to fully recover when he returns. By then Whitelock will be hard to leave out. Bryn Evans and Jeremy Thrush will have had more provincial game time and Ali Williams could even be back on the scene.

Gear has played well and still missed out, suggesting his game is not right for what the All Blacks want.