Exams today, tests tomorrow for future All Blacks

Around the country, school exam rooms will have boys with their minds being drawn towards the 2011 World Cup.

In six years' time, the country's Year 12 and 13 pupils will be approaching the prime of their rugby careers.

And this year's national under-19 squad - who were beaten 20-15 by South Africa in their world championship final in Durban in April - already have a foot in the All Black door, in the shape of surprise selection, Auckland utility back Isaia Toeava.

The under-19 coach, Aussie McLean, reckons New Zealand will be in good shape if the quality he has seen at the age group level carries through to the All Blacks in a few years' time.

McLean has been involved with the under-19s since 2001.

"Last year, when we won the title in Durban, we had a really good forward pack. This year we were possibly a bit stronger in the backs," McLean said.

Planning was already in hand at NZRFU level for the development of players for the 2011 tournament.

"It's not like it'll be a fluke if they all turn up in good shape in 2011," he said. "We also know in what areas we've got strengths and in which areas we're not so good."

McLean said one of the most interesting aspects of this year's tournament was comparing the physical development of players, as distinct from natural athletic gifts.

"That's the only area we're probably being passed in. The English, Welsh, South African and French players are huge compared to ours."

The NZRFU was addressing that aspect, said McLean, who believed New Zealand tended to wait until players left school, entered rugby academies or turned professional, at which point two or three years' development has to be crammed into one year.

"It's about making sure they develop and get longevity as sportsmen, not just developing them so they're good at under-19. There's a little bit of a conundrum there."

So what names might we be reading about in six years' time? McLean singled out several from the last two under-19 squads he believes could be All Blacks, or on the fringe around the time of the 2011 World Cup.

Kieran Read, a blindside flanker or No 8 out of Rosehill College in South Auckland but now in Canterbury, is "tremendously skilled. I'll be surprised if he doesn't come through".

Wellington lock Jeremy Thrush was named International Rugby Board under-19 player of the year in 2004; Wellington flanker Serge Lilo was a New Zealand Colt this year and is eligible again next year, played some NPC rugby this season; loosehead prop Jamie Macintosh of Southland, at 128kg, has another year left in the Colts and "is in everyone's eyes", McLean added.

He also praised Canterbury centre Tim Batemen - one of several players from last year's national champion Christchurch Boys High first XV who is making waves at age-group level - as a player of "real ability".

And what of the current All Blacks?

Obviously captain Tana Umaga, who is 32, won't be there. Nor will hooker Anton Oliver, now 30.

Toeava, at 19, should be in his prime. Several other All Blacks will be under 30 in 2011, although clearly form and health will be key considerations in whether they will still figure in six year's time.

Those in that category include wings Joe Rokocoko (who will be 28 at the time of the cup), and Sitiveni Sivivatu (29), halfbacks Piri Weepu (28) and Jimmy Cowan (29), props John Afoa (28) and Neemia Tialata (29) and first five-eighths Daniel Carter (29).

Umaga's heir apparent, Richie McCaw, will be 30, as will Aaron Mauger, Jerry Collins and Conrad Smith, while Mils Muliaina and Carl Hayman will be 31.