All Blacks: More ABs could play for provinces

All Black Andrew Hore. Photo / Dean Purcell

Several underdone All Blacks may play for their provinces in the final round of the ITM Cup before they link up with their teammates in Hong Kong.

The selectors have considered the idea to get some mileage into players like Andrew Hore, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Isaia Toeava, who have been out of the game for months.

Other contenders like Rene Ranger and Keven Mealamu may be asked to bypass ITM Cup games before Hong Kong to ensure they are fully fit for the five-test trip.

Mealamu has recovered from a calf strain, but likely tourist Hore has been out of rugby since the Super 14 with a shoulder injury and Corey Flynn has torn a calf muscle.

Ranger has been running again at full pace after straining his hamstring, but will need a clearance from the All Black medicos to return for Northland's away game against Tasman on Friday.

The 30-strong All Black squad will be announced on Sunday with the selectors keen to take as many of their shadow World Cup squad on tour as possible.

Ali Williams, Richard Kahui and Luke McAlister cannot be picked because of injury, but those coming back to the game such as Hore, Toeava and Sivivatu are expected to be on the travelling list.

The most awkward decisions will be deciding which backs to leave at home.

Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu are the test midfield pairing who are likely to be joined by Sonny Bill Williams and Toeava, with Ranger as a utility who can play wing.

Robbie Fruean and Benson Stanley are likely to be squeezed out.

Aaron Cruden should back up first five-eighths Daniel Carter if he is fit, which may leave one place for either Colin Slade, Stephen Donald or Mike Delany.

Meanwhile, Toeava is likely to start for Auckland this week against Otago after his enterprising return in their win against Counties Manukau.

He looked sharp and brought some assurance to a backline that has struggled for momentum this season.

"He created some great space didn't he," Auckland coach Mark Anscombe said.

"Once we started playing at the right end of the park and did that for a while we were able to generate pressure and points.