Lee Stensness: Trial run is a bit of a pointless Crusade

How much use is an All Black trial going to be this year, especially after Friday night's semifinal? Especially given that in the last month of the Super 12 there have been six all New Zealand match-ups, and surely the selectors would have seen what they needed to see.

Last year's trial was valuable as some players were exposed and others shone.

That's the point of a trial. It is a step-up in intensity from the Super 12 round-robin.

To have the Crusaders players absent from the trial because of their involvement in the Super 12 final will, in some respects, actually be a bonus for the selectors as it will expose even more players to that higher level - players who may have been handicapped by their own Super 12 team's failings.

But will the absence of the Crusaders devalue the efforts of the players involved?

There's no doubt some players look better because they play for the Crusaders and have an advantage when it comes to All Black selection.

A trial levels the playing field, so to speak, and can give a truer indication of a player's ability relative to the competition. I suspect the selectors will try to make the trial teams as even as possible rather than a best against the rest scenario.

The Crusaders as a team set the standards for others to aspire to, as do many of the Crusaders' individuals, so the trial probably won't be as intense as it would be if they were involved.

In the positions where Crusaders players are clearly the best, such as halfback, first-five, lock and openside flanker, it gives selectors the chance to view the next best two against each other in a controlled experiment. In other positions, where Crusaders players are neck and neck with those from other franchises, such as wing, midfield, blindside flanker and No 8, it is disappointing they won't go head to head with their competition without the advantage of the Crusaders' systems and teamwork.

This is especially so for players from other teams as they would have got a better crack at those individuals.

The trial also serves as a bit of self-assessment for the selectors. They can evaluate their thinking in terms of how hunches and assumptions about players have stood up against actual performance.

The selectors will get value from the trial but not as much as if the standard bearers of New Zealand rugby were there.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY