Rugby: All Black hopefuls short of time to impress as playoffs near

Richie McCaw. Photo / Getty Images

A mass of All Black hopefuls have one game to convince the selectors as the Crusaders and Blues swapped places in the run to the Super 15 playoffs.

This week will be a series wrap for 13 players from the Chiefs, Hurricanes and Highlanders who went on last season's end-of-year tour.

They will miss the extended finals format, while captain Richie McCaw, Isaia Toeava, Daniel Braid and Tony Woodcock are uncertain starters after lengthy injuries.

More than half a prospective test squad could be game-rusty for a month before they are called to meet Fiji in Dunedin on July 22.

There may yet be complications about that match if the political disputes continue between New Zealand and the Fijian armed forces.

The Crusaders and Blues will battle on in the search for the inaugural Super 15 champion.

Victory for the Crusaders against the Hurricanes will cement their top status in the New Zealand conference and they have the advantage of playing after the Blues meet the Highlanders on Friday.

A rash of extraordinary results could find the Blues out of the finals. However, if they claim one point against the Highlanders they are safe.

If that task eludes them, a bonus point win to the Waratahs and a bonus points draw between the Bulls and Sharks would see all three overhaul the Blues.

Most unlikely, but who would have picked two draws in the latest round of the competition?

What is clearer is that the Waratahs remain in the finals hunt and the Highlanders have dropped off the chase after being well beaten in Sydney.

They should fall to the Blues, who will hope to halt their four-game slide at Eden Park. But Pat Lam's men used up a great deal of emotional and physical petrol in defeat to the Crusaders and are facing a rising injury toll.

Their nine wins, draw and five-loss record sheet is looking frayed with their last victory against the Hurricanes in the first week of May.

The Crusaders have been on a win-loss shuffle in recent matches and have yet to play the Hurricanes after their initial meeting was declared a draw following the Christchurch earthquake.

They were less clinical than usual on Saturday. Lock Sam Whitelock and halfback Andy Ellis returned from long injury spells to signal their readiness for selection in an extended international squad.

Blues lock Ali Williams went well again in the lineouts and Charlie Faumuina showed - in an unfamiliar outing at loosehead prop - what a future he has.

Tyro opensiders Matt Todd and Luke Braid showed their serious talent too, buried in the sweatshop duties at the breakdown and burning around in support of ball-carriers.

Zac Guildford's gas and anticipation was eye-catching again in his duel with the dependable Joe Rokocoko, and he is demanding more tests after his career stalled this time last year.

Observations about the All Black futures of end-of-year tourists Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Hosea Gear, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Stephen Donald, Jimmy Cowan, Liam Messam, Tom Donnelly, Neemia Tialata, Hika Elliot and Andrew Hore will cease with their teams' exit this week.

Debate will continue to flourish about others who missed that trip because of injury.

Finals footy is nearly with us, a time when the All Black selectors look for men who can lift their work to a higher standard.

The Crusaders and Blues have claimed that reward and the playoff matches will be precious stages for their franchises and personal All Black auditions.