The All Blacks selectors have missed the mark with their tight-five selections for the upcoming test series against Ireland, according to former NZ internationals Tana Umaga and Richard Loe.
On Monday, coach Ian Foster and his fellow selectors named a 36-man squad to take on Ireland in a three-test series next month, with Chiefs prop Aidan Ross the only new face among the 14-strong group of hookers, props and locks chosen.
Given the forward pack's struggles during last year's European tour - when both France and Ireland dominated the upfront exchanges and setpiece - Umaga says their performances next month will be put under a microscope.
"There were question marks after the results over there and we've pretty much in with the same forward pack, really, in terms of the tight five," the former All Blacks captain told AM Show.
"There are still question marks, because it's the same group… they're going to test themselves against an Irish team that's pretty much similar to what they played last year."
Veterans Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick and Dane Coles were among the senior players who copped criticism for subpar displays in November's annual year-end tour, when the All Blacks were comprehensively beaten by the French and Irish in consecutive weeks.
"These senior players who have done it before, they know how to get the best out of themselves and what it means to be an All Black," Umaga added.
"Now they're playing at home and, for a change, there are question marks around some of their performances, and there are some young players coming through."
With next year's World Cup looming, 49-test prop Loe says the selectors need to be more forward-thinking with some of their picks, questioning why they overlooked recent form during Super Rugby Pacific.
He pointed out Blues hooker Kurt Eklund and Highlanders prop Ethan de Groot as two glaring examples. De Groot dominated All Blacks opposite Ofa Tuungafasi at scrumtime in the quarter-final loss to the Blues, but was told by national selectors he wasn't fit enough for a recall.
"There are huge question marks," Loe said. "Look at, for example, the front row... some of their props shouldn't be there.
"Ethan de Groot turned [Ofa] Tuungafasi inside out the other week, and then they turn around and say he's not fit enough.
"What the hell have their so-called trainers been doing all year, keeping in touch with these players?
"Kurt Eklund, for example, he's one of the top hookers and never got a look in.
"They've got a World Cup coming up very soon, but most of the players who got beaten so badly by Ireland and France last year are re-selected and they're well into their 30s."
The All Blacks play the first test against Ireland at Auckland's Eden Park on July 2.
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