KEY POINTS:
The All Blacks have a seven-month wait until a one-off test against Ireland, then twin tests against a possible double world champion side England.
The group of 2008 will sashay into action at Wellington on June 7 after some serious viewing of test contenders during the Super 14.
First up though the identity of the coaching/selection panel has to be resolved, something which has been promised by Christmas though that seems an inordinately long delay even for the NZRU.
The chosen ones will have to make do without four of the side which started the fateful World Cup quarter-final against France in Cardiff, while a further three squad members are also heading offshore and lock Keith Robinson may be easing out of rugby.
Those World Cuppers who are going to play in Europe are Doug Howlett, Luke McAlister, Aaron Mauger, Byron Kelleher, Chris Jack, Carl Hayman and Anton Oliver.
It is a sizeable chunk of rugby talent with the most searching inquiry on who fills the midfield and who will replace tighthead prop Hayman.
Centre was never entirely resolved by the current panel after the retirement of Tana Umaga and with second five-eighths Mauger, McAlister and Sam Tuitupou also out of the frame next season, that area will be the most contested.
Another option is to push Daniel Carter out a place to give the impressive Nick Evans a shot at directing play from first five-eighths. That would allow the All Blacks to split their playmakers at the breakdowns.
Evans also has the pace and kicking game to bring counter-attack and tactical direction from fullback though that option will be compromised if he plays most of his rugby in the No 10 jersey for the Blues.
Players with the most ground to reclaim will be Ma'a Nonu after his decision to stay with rugby, the Chiefs' Richard Kahui if he can rediscover his pre-shoulder injury potential and pocket rocket Anthony Tuitavake.
Conrad Smith and Isaia Toeava have been favoured in the last few years but injury and form were against them at the World Cup. Feisty halfbacks Piri Weepu and Jimmy Cowan are the ones to put some heat on Brendon Leonard but if the Chiefs' halfback can build on his year's international experience, he can keep them at bay.
Rodney So'oialo was one of the rare World Cuppers who displayed consistent form. He is an all-action No 8 whose workrate and brutality at the breakdown is superb. However, a change of forward approach may bring Jerry Collins, Sione Lauaki, Jerome Kaino or Mose Tuiali'i into contention to grunt the ball up in close.
There may even be cause to think about a career change for Richie McCaw, whose size, skills and speed lend themselves to the back of the scrum.
Locks James Ryan and Jason Eaton will be searching for Chris Jack's jersey as will Troy Flavell who should have travelled to the World Cup in an impact role. Ross Filipo is another with impact value.
Who takes over from Hayman? Campbell Johnstone who had "the best right shoulder in the business", the durable Greg Somerville or the bulky Neemia Tialata who has been a rumbling but not yet explosive force.
With Oliver gone, Keven Mealamu and Andrew Hore will be hunting the start and the continued improvement in Hore's game has been noticeable.
Crystal-ball gazing is a haphazard operation with injury, form and long-term selection ideas all clouding the landscape.
Possible test XV
15 Mils Muliaina
14 Joe Rokocoko
13 Richard Kahui
12 Isaia Toeava
11 Sitiveni Sivivatu
10 Daniel Carter
9 Brendon Leonard
8 Rodney So'oialo
7 Richie McCaw
6 Jerry Collins
5 Ali Williams
4 Jason Eaton
3 Neemia Tialata
2 Andrew Hore
1 Tony Woodcock
