All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen is faced with some difficult selection decisions leading into the final two weeks of the Rugby Championship against Australia.
Hansen needs to balance the demands of securing yet another Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup with offering as many players as possible their last opportunities to impress before the World Cup squad is finalised.
Highlanders stand-out Patrick Osbourne has been bought into the squad as an insurance policy of sorts, a chance to give the Highlander a taste of the next level.
"It's more for the future," said Hansen. "With Waisake out for three months and Cory still struggling with his injuries we wanted to make sure we had someone else that's been in the environment."
Waikato halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow has also returned to the All Blacks realm after being released to get some match play under his belt.
"He's had enough game time to warrant being there," noted Hansen. "It's time to bring him back in and at some stage over the next couple of weeks we'll have to have a look at him."
Things aren't looking as rosy for veteran midfielder Ma'a Nonu. Although any serious damage to his shoulder has been ruled out, it's unlikely he'll be risked against Australia if any inkling of pain remains.
"We're not going to risk him if he's not right. It's a big season and we've got plenty of cover there."
Fellow Hurricane Cory Jane is also at low odds, his long term prognosis not so promising.
"The medical info we have on him at the moment is that his latest injury is a six-weeker. But he'll be in, so we'll get a look at him and make some decisions."
"We know that's he's got some runs on the board and that he's a world class player when he's right, but he certainly hasn't had a season he'd want in his album of all-time greats."
As to the threat posed by the Wallabies, Hansen is under no illusions as to what to expect.
"Cheika's given them a bit more of a physical edge. They'll go into this Test pretty confident, I'd say."
"They're paying us a lot of compliments which is lovely, but none of us believe them."
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