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The first All Blacks squad of 2015 was announced on Sunday, consisting of 41 players which is an almost unprecedentedly high number for New Zealand.
Wholesale change was unlikely given the All Blacks have only lost two out of 42 Tests since the 2011 World Cup, and coach Steve Hansen has been historically conservative when picking previous teams.
Obviously more stand to be culled, but of those who missed out who were the unluckiest? These four presented a strong case for inclusion.
Ardie Savea
New Zealand enjoys considerable depth in the loose-forward department, but the flamboyant 21-year-old was unlucky to miss the cut. Is there are more dynamic attacking loose forward in the competition?
Richie McCaw and Sam Cane are almost guaranteed preferences, but Savea surely offers more than Matt Todd.
Savea has run for almost 200 metres more than Todd, beaten 29 defenders compared with Todd’s 10, and while Todd made 150 tackles this season, Savea made 139.
Savea is a Michael Jones-like footballer. He makes your jaw drop almost every time you watch him. He might be a bit unconventional, but that is strength rather than a weakness. He can cover both sides of the flank and even has the pace to be an outside back.
Charlie Ngatai
The New Zealand Maori representative has overcome a number of serious injuries to became a top-class player.
A winner of two Super Rugby titles, the most impressive feature about Ngatai is his ability to kick long and accurately off both feet, a rare quality in the modern game and an essential skill in the winter of England.
Defensively, Ngatai is one of the best midfield backs in New Zealand. He has only missed seven tackles this season. Ryan Crotty and Malakai Fekitoa have missed 42 between them.
Ngatai can cover fullback and second-five and his attacking numbers are similar to Crotty with 13 clean breaks to nine.
James Lowe
The young wing has carried over his outstanding ITM Cup form for the Chiefs. Secure under the high ball and gifted with huge boot, Lowe can cover both sides as well as fullback.
He is a smart and dangerous counter-attacker who has made 18 clean breaks and run 855 metres this season.
Does Cory Jane deserve to retain his place ahead of a youngster who so resembles a rookie Jane?
For all of his attacking brilliance is Waisake Naholo a better fit in English conditions?
Reg Goodes
The All Black front row really struggled at times in the scrums last year.
Tony Woodcock appeared to be a shadow of his former self in Super Rugby, while Joe Moody was in the first Crusaders side that failed to make the playoffs since 2001.
Goodes is solid in a Hurricanes scrum that has preformed above expectation in 2015.
He is dynamic around the field and offers more with ball in hand than any of the other props.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.