Wynne Gray: Form throws new light on AB picks

Zac Guildford, Isaia Toeava and Sean Maitland make up the beack three in Wynne Grays's form All Blacks XV. Photo / Getty Images

The All Blacks will be chosen at the end of the Super 15 with the selectors and many contenders probably thankful they have that leeway to find some form.

No doubt some of the injured, the slow burners and those with valued history will push into the frame.

Gallery: Wynne Gray's form XV

But not all. Numerically it is impossible.

Last year the All Black panel picked 43 players for national duty. This year, when the World Cup names are revealed, only 30 can be chosen for the tournament.

So how are players faring? Who has "pick me" signs attached to their performances and who has yet to make an impression?

The criteria for this selection is simple. It is about personal preference and impressions for players who have played a decent chunk of Super 15 footy.

Not those like Richie McCaw who has played just 30 minutes in his comeback match.

McCaw will be the World Cup captain, but for now he has not played enough to make this form pick.

Others not considered because of injury or limited play were Piri Weepu, Colin Slade and Daniel Braid.

The likely World Cup split will be 14 backs and 16 forwards with the panel opting for three halfbacks and three hookers.

In distilling those who have been on form midway through the Super 15, it's likely only half the backs but the bulk of the forwards will make the eventual cut.

It would be nonsense, for example, to think Conrad Smith would miss the cut if he stays intact. His abilities are too valued to be ignored.

But right now, centres like Jared Payne and Robbie Fruean have shown out more because their teams have played far better than the Hurricanes.

The Chiefs have not helped their contenders either although Richard Kahui showed with scant matchplay he is about to overtake some of his midfield rivals.

It is a similar case with Mils Muliaina. His credentials are impeccable but a back injury removed him for weeks while others like Isaia Toeava, Israel Dagg and Ben Smith have been lively fullbacks in every outing.

Some All Blacks have serious work ahead if they are to succeed at the ballot box. Sitiveni Sivivatu has scarcely fired, same with Ma'a Nonu, Tom Donnelly and Neemia Tialata.

There are outsiders like Sean Treeby, who has been rock solid and penetrative in midfield with the Highlanders, or Brendon Leonard, who has glimpsed form behind a ragged Chiefs pack.

There will be selection twists governed by injury, lack of form, utility value and hunches.

Players who slot into that category will be those like Luke McAlister and Ali Williams, who have been favoured in the past by this group of All Black selectors.

Finding a backup to Daniel Carter has become more muddied with Slade battling a second broken jaw, Stephen Donald hampered by injury and Aaron Cruden by form.

Last year's All Blacks still to fire:

Backs: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Rene Ranger, Joe Rokocoko, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Richard Kahui, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Benson Stanley, Colin Slade, Aaron Cruden, Stephen Donald, Piri Weepu, Alby Mathewson.

Forwards: Richie McCaw, Daniel Braid, Liam Messam, Tom Donnelly, Neemia Tialata, Hika Elliot, Aled de Malmanche, Corey Flynn.