KEY POINTS:
Over the past week nzherald.co.nz has been asking for your All Blacks squad. Here's who you think should be in the team - and who should miss out.
Blues wing Joe Rokocoko could be the biggest name to miss out on All Black selection this afternoon if the nzherald.co.nz readers' picks are anything to go by.
Rokocoko (42 votes) missed selection in the readers squad behind Sitiveni Sivivatu (74), Doug Howlett (64) and Rico Gear.
A lack of game time seems to be the major factor for Rokocoko's omission. The Fijian-flyer was part of the All Black reconditioning squad which sat out the first eight weeks of the Super 14 and when he was available for the Blues he was either injured or not wanted by coach David Nucifora.
Rokocoko is one of only two reconditioned All Blacks to miss the cut according to readers, with Crusaders loose forward and former All Black captain Reuben Thorne being the other.
While most of the squad picks itself a lot of debate focused around the centre and locking positions and a number of back-up roles.
Readers rewarded Isaia Toeava's stellar Super 14 season with a place in midfield along with Hurricanes centre Conrad Smith. Toeava received the highest number of votes with 85, two ahead of current All Blacks captain Richie McCaw.
Nick Evans was chosen as the back-up first-five along with inside back certainties Daniel Carter, Aaron Mauger and Luke McAlister.
And while most experts are tipping Chiefs halfback Brendon Leonard to be the bolter when the All Black selectors name their squad at noon today he fails to feature in the readers' squad, losing out to Jimmy Cowan for the third halfback spot by 17 votes.
There were no real surprises in the picks for the forwards, the biggest being Chiefs number eight Sione Lauaki edging out Thorne and his Crusaders teammate Mose Tuiali'i for a loosie spot.
Lock was one of the most hotly contested positions at the beginning of the Super 14, however injury turned it into one of the most straight forward selections.
Blues captain Troy Flavell topped the votes in this position with 75 and joins All Black incumbents Chris Jack (71) and Ali Williams (68) as well as Chiefs hardman Keith Robinson (57).
Robinson seems to have a lot of supporters, both inside the All Blacks camp and out, so it would have been interesting to see who would have been chosen if reconditioned All Black Jason Eaton had not been injured.
In the front row readers thought Neemia Tialata and Clark Dermody should provide cover for Carl Hayman and Tony Woodcock at prop, while Andrew Hore edged out Auckland rival Derren Witcombe for the third hooking spot.
nzherald.co.nz readers' All Black squad (votes in brackets)
Fullbacks: Mils Muliaina (78), Leon MacDonald (55)
Wings: Sitiveni Sivivatu (74), Doug Howlett (64), Rico Gear (59)
Centres: Isaia Toeava (85), Conrad Smith (38)
Five-eighths: Daniel Carter (81), Luke McAlister (81), Aaron Mauger (62), Nick Evans (62)
Halfbacks: Piri Weepu (73), Byron Kelleher (73), Jimmy Cowan (40)
Loose forwards: Richie McCaw (83), Jerry Collins (80), Rodney So'oialo (74), Chris Masoe (55), Sione Lauaki (55)
Locks: Troy Flavell (75), Chris Jack (71), Ali Williams (68), Keith Robinson (57)
Props: Tony Woodcock (79), Carl Hayman(77), Neemia Tialata (66), Clark Dermody (41)
Hookers: Keven Mealamu (75), Anton Oliver (56), Andrew Hore (29)
Nzherald.co.nz Sports Editor, Marvin France's picks.
Backs:
Mils Muliaina, Leon MacDonald, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Doug Howlett, Rico Gear, Isaia Toeava, Ma'a Nonu, Luke McAlister, Aaron Mauger, Daniel Carter, Nick Evans, Byron Kelleher, Piri Weepu, Brendon Leonard.
Forwards:
Rodney So'oialo, Sione Lauaki, Richie McCaw, Chris Masoe, Jerry Collins, Liam Messam, Chris Jack, Greg Rawlinson, Troy Flavell, Carl Hayman, Tony Woodcock, Neemia Tialata, Clark Dermody, Keven Mealamu, Andrew Hore, Anton Oliver.
Herald rugby writer Wynne Gray's squad:
Backs
Mils Muliaina, Leon MacDonald, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Joe Rokocoko, Doug Howlett, Isaia Toeava, Conrad Smith, Aaron Mauger, Luke McAlister, Daniel Carter, Nick Evans, Byron Kelleher, Piri Weepu, Brendon Leonard.
Forwards
Rodney So'oialo, Chris Masoe, Jerry Collins ,Reuben Thorne, Richie McCaw, Ali Williams, Chris Jack, Keith Robinson, Troy Flavell, Carl Hayman, Neemia Tialata, Tony Woodcock, Clarke Dermody, Keven Mealamu, Anton Oliver, Andrew Hore.
Herald on Sunday rugby writer, Gregor Paul's picks:
Backs:
Mils Muliaina, Leon MacDonald, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Rico Gear, Doug Howlett, Isaia Toeava, Luke McAlister, Aaron Mauger, Nick Evans, Daniel Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Piri Weepu, Byron Kelleher.
Forwards:
Mose Tuiali'i, Sione Lauaki, Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw, Chris Masoe, Jerry Collins, Troy Flavell, Chris Jack, Ali Williams, Keith Robinson, Derren Witcombe, Anton Oliver, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Clarke Dermody, Neemia Tialata, Carl Hayman.
