Crunch time for fringe players hoping to make RWC team

Israel Dagg of the All Blacks. Photo / Getty Images

As the historic rugby tension reaches new levels today at Apia Park we need to reset marking guidelines for the All Blacks.

They have only five tests until they leap into World Cup action against Argentina. It is a restricted timetable for some players to prove they still fit the All Black plans and for others to make a late surge for inclusion.

There will be a squeeze, then a substantial player cull after tests against Samoa, the Pumas, Springboks and two with the Wallabies. Form and fitness will be imperative.

A total of 49 players - without the 17 unavailable Super Rugby finalists and others on the injured roster or Maori duty - have made the opening All Black squad.

That group will be whittled back to the 31 allowed on World Cup duty.

While there have been problems assembling the All Blacks for this slice of history, any levity on judging the players should be parked outside the garlanded gates at Apia Park.

The All Blacks held several camps in Auckland and chose to do all their training in New Zealand, rather than travel earlier to Apia to acclimatise to the oppressive conditions. Conditions and crowd support may not suit them but they need to cope with those hitches.

Those sort of problems will reappear in 72 days when they start their Webb Ellis Cup defence.

The All Blacks are the elite players in this country who produce standards which are a notch above the work of others who inhabit the Super Rugby series. More is expected of these men so the assessments get tougher.

If any leeway is made for those like Israel Dagg and Charles Piutau returning from injury, other teammates may feel they have reasons which impact on their performance. It doesn't matter if players have been injured or that Andy Ellis has not been in this company for three years.

They have been selected as the best fit players in their position. That's how we should judge them.

Hurricanes wing Cory Jane would have been desperate to play in an all too rare Super 15 final with his mates and as a way of parading his credentials to the All Black panel.

However, he knew his hamstring was not in top shape and if he was selfish and played, he was not serving the Hurricanes well.

The focus today will be on the team performance and how players slot into plans the coaches have made for this test, then on how individuals coped with the tactical and skill requirements in their positions.

Hot and sticky won't cut it as excuses, this is an international where the best parade their credentials.