Forget miracle returns from Dan Carter or Aaron Cruden, the big winner – if we can describe him as that after Damian McKenzie's knee injury which will rule him out of the World Cup – could be David Havili.
It appears that while the All Blacks selectors will already have established a pecking order in terms of Kiwi No10s and will know who they would like to back up Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo'unga in Japan, a third first-five is unlikely to travel – initially anyway.
As Grant Fox told Radio Sport recently, an Otere Black or Brett Cameron or Stephen Perofeta would be unlikely to get game time anyway should Barrett and Mo'unga remain physically sound. "You need someone [at first five] to cover those middle two pool games [Canada and Namibia]," he said. "Could we get away without a specialist? Possibly."
What the selectors will probably need is another fullback who can cover outside back, or vice-versa. McKenzie offered versatility but also pace and relative soundness under the high ball despite his size.
His counter-attacking in particular is a major strength and while there are few better than Ben Smith in bringing the ball back from deep, Havili, who played three tests in 2017, isn't far behind. And, while he wasn't named in the recent foundation day squad, that's because he didn't play a test last year.