It is hard to think of Aaron Cruden as an elder statesman given his tender years but that is the position he is assuming among the crop of up-and-coming first-fives beginning to challenge Dan Carter.
During the World Cup, 23-year-old Cruden slipped into the No10 jersey after injuries ruled out Carter and then Colin Slade. And when he suffered the same fate, an SOS call found Stephen Donald holding a whitebaiting net and considering whether to open another beer.
After Donald there was no one obvious left, but already this season Beauden Barrett and Tyler Bleyendaal have shown they have the potential to make an impact at the next level.
Barrett, the 20-year-old from Taranaki who turned down an offer from the Blues to stay with the Hurricanes this season, has been a revelation in South Africa where he was involved in almost everything good in their loss against the Stormers and kicked his side to a late victory over the Lions.
Bleyendaal, 21, made his Super Rugby debut against the Blues in round one of this season's Super Rugby competition and looked like he belonged straight away in terms of confidence. His ability to take on the defensive line and his strength in the tackle made him look like an old pro.