Rugby: All Blacks selectors spoiled for choice

All Blacks wing Israel Dagg dives over to score against Samoa. Photo / Greg Bowker

All Blacks 78
Manu Samoa 0

Steve Hansen and his fellow All Blacks coaches like having tough selection decisions - it proves they have options, and they have plenty before the first test against the British and Irish Lions next Saturday.

After this very impressive victory over Manu Samoa, injury permitting, there won't be many changes in the forwards, apart from the addition of skipper Kieran Read if he recovers from his broken thumb, as expected.

Aaron Smith must be considered a very good chance to start at halfback, with Beauden Barrett able to select himself at No10 after another masterful performance at Eden Park tonight.

Ben Smith will start at fullback. After that it gets interesting. Sonny Bill Williams will start at second-five should he come through this test unscathed, but if Ryan Crotty doesn't recover from his rib injury then the selectors will have absolute faith in centre Anton Lienert-Brown after he combined superbly with Williams for the first time in a black jersey.

Asked about Barrett's goalkicking (seven from eight attempts) and overall performance, assistant coach Ian Foster said: "He certainly kept us pretty happy. He's had a year and hasn't kicked a lot obviously with his side strain and the way things have gone.

"His last outing with the Hurricanes was really good. He hasn't done a lot of kicking this week - we've had a busy week - but he's hitting the ball well."

The wings, too, could give the selectors something to think about. Julian Savea should start on the left wing, but how to choose between Israel Dagg and Waisake Naholo for the No14 jersey?

It could come down to a metaphorical coin toss, and there is also the form and quality of Rieko Ioane, set for his match for the New Zealand Maori against the Lions in Rotorua, to consider.

"It was a different sort of game four our wingers but I thought Izzy really grew into the game," Foster said. "He looked stronger as the game went on, and Jules got a lot of touches on the ball which is what we want to see out of him. The pleasing thing now is it feels like we've got four wings all in good form so it could make it a little bit tricky."

Fullback Ben Smith was good, as usual, but it was his captaincy - the first time he has led the All Blacks - which really got Hansen's attention.

"I think he's had an outstanding week as a leader," Hansen said. "It's not easy to come in A, as a captain, and B, when you know it's only for one or two or three or four games. As a part-time captain it's tough, but he's come in and led like he's been there all his life.

"He's got a big future in that department, I think."