Fringe players need to force issue

Sonny Bill Williams looks to pass during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina at AMI Stadiu. Photo / Getty Images

After an improved performance from the All Blacks, the onus is now on those on the fringes of the side to step up against South Africa.

Right from the old heads up front, it was clear during Friday's victory against Argentina that the majority of the squad are slowly but surely getting better.

Yes, there were one or two mistakes, but you expect that at this stage of the season. And the All Blacks wouldn't have been pleased giving up two tries to lineout drives but a well-constructed maul is always hard to defend.

I think every coach will be wondering how they can stop it and, while Steve Hansen called them bloody boring, he's an old centre so he wouldn't know much about that.

South Africa will be sure to provide another test in that area but I'm equally interested in the performances of the players who aren't certainties to be in the first-choice XV at the World Cup.

Those players have to show the ability to perform at a higher level — taking on the Springboks at Ellis Park — and I think there's enough internal pressure for them to do so.

With Waisake Naholo breaking his leg, there's now a chance for another winger to stand up. And as that injury showed, the All Blacks will want as much back up as they can get across every position.

Against Argentina, the scrum seemed to perform reasonably well when Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock were out there, then Codie Taylor and Nepo Laulala proved capable.

Taylor, particularly, took the bull by the horns and he now has a real chance to put his hand up for a World Cup place, especially with Hika Elliot not travelling to South Africa.

He's still only young but I can also see Laulala putting a lot of pressure on Owen Franks, while Wyatt Crockett could be worthy of a start over Woodcock on the other side of the scrum.

There are those sort of selection issues throughout the fringes of the squad. Luke Romano certainly had a strong game against Argentina but will James Broadhurst get a start soon to see if he can be the third lock?

The veteran loose forwards are getting better by the game but Sam Cane has yet to be seen and he must be itching for a run after such a strong Super Rugby season.

That type of squad rotation will be important with so few tests before the World Cup, which was obvious in the decision to leave behind Dan Carter and Sonny Bill Williams.

It's been done before and it just creates opportunities for other individuals to perform. I think we'll see that next weekend and then the two games against Australia.