Rugby: Glut of loosies muddies All Black mix

Steven Luatua's ability to cover lock and play blindside will give him an inside trail as long as his damaged shoulder is 100 per cent. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Untangling a glut of loose forwards and complications for Rene Ranger have absorbed the All Black selectors.

They will reveal a 28-strong group tomorrow for the Rugby Championship with three extra players to assist with training while the squad is in New Zealand.

The panel have settled on their favoured lineup but need to wait for any medical reports which arise from tonight's Super 15 decider between the Chiefs and Brumbies.

Plans for this year's Rugby Championship have changed with the panel opting for three halfbacks, three five-eighths and three hookers in a 16 forwards-12 backs split.

They have also had to account for Ranger's unavailability before he takes up his overseas contract in France.

Versatility becomes a valued theme with Julian Savea, Conrad Smith, Aaron Smith and Tawera Kerr-Barlow the only backs restricted to one position.

Ten loose forwards were probably appraised for five places.

Captain Richie McCaw, Kieran Read and Liam Messam are certainties on history and Super 15 form.

The two vacancies will be a judgment about the skills of Victor Vito, Steven Luatua, Brad Shields, Luke Whitelock, Sam Cane, Matt Todd, Tanerau Latimer and the selectors' template.

The selectors are likely to go with three locks so Luatua's ability to cover that role and play blindside will give him an inside trail as long as his damaged shoulder is 100 per cent.

That probably offers room for a deputy to McCaw, which has been Cane's role in the past two years. The Chiefs have preferred Latimer in the No7 jersey in the heavyweight section of the Super 15 with Cane on the bench but that is unlikely to sway the All Blacks.

Todd has also played exceptionally well in McCaw's absence for the Crusaders and was picked as Cane's backup in the three June tests with France.

The new "crouch, bind, set" scrum instructions and an extra prop reserve will be used from the start of the Rugby Championship. Coach Steve Hansen has already signalled the squad will have five props with four specialists and Ben Franks, who can play either side.

Wyatt Crockett will be named but his knee ligament injury means he will have to be replaced until he recovers, by fellow Crusader Joe Moody.

Possible squad

Backs: Israel Dagg, Charles Piutau, Ben Smith, Julian Savea, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Daniel Carter, Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett, Piri Weepu, Aaron Smith, Tawera Kerr-Barlow.

Forwards: Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, Liam Messam, Steven Luatua, Sam Cane, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Ben Franks, Wyatt Crockett, Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Andrew Hore, Dane Coles.

Injury sub: Joe Moody for Crockett.

Extras: Matt Todd, Jeremy Thrush, Francis Saili.