What will the All Blacks XV look like for the Rugby Championship?

There is growing speculation about the Wallabies playing the All Blacks as part of a two-test Bledisloe series in mid-October this year, and a Rugby Championship in NZ to follow that.

Without being able to consider the likes of Beauden Barrett and Brodie Retallick for selection, and the loss of veterans such as Kieran Read, Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams and Ben Smith, there will be large-scale changes for the Kiwis.

But this does not suggest any transition phase for the team beaten 19-7 by England in the World Cup semi-final. Super Rugby Aotearoa has shown the dominance of the Crusaders and the likes of the Blues and Hurricanes performing well.

That means the All Blacks will have enough proven talent to start off a four-year cycle, where it is likely them, South Africa and England will be the three premier scalps of world rugby.

15. Will Jordan
We start with a bolter. Will Jordan has been absolutely phenomenal for the Crusaders this season, leading the try scorers with six. He has fast feet, blistering pace and agility and he is composed under the high ball. Jordan is the hottest talent off the Canterbury conveyor belt for New Zealand. At the ripe age of 22, Jordan should be staking some claim for a starting jersey and he just edges Jordie Barrett to it.

14. Sevu Reece
The flying Fijian once again tore up Super Rugby by finishing off some excellent solo tries. Reece has the combination of raw pace and explosive ball carrying. The only issue with him is his defence, something Ian Foster will want to drill into him. Reece is the victim of not tracking back and staying in as part of the Crusaders’ defensive line.

(Phil Walter/Getty Images)

13. Anton Lienert-Brown
A criminally underrated player, Lienert-Brown is one of the best centres in the world. He has quick feet, crisp hands and an underrated kicking game. Lienert-Brown has been the core of the NZ midfield of late. With 44 caps to his name after debuting in 2016, Lienert-Brown is only 25 and is already a seriously good player for Foster’s men.

12. Jack Goodhue
He pips Ngani Laumape here. I’ve swapped around him and Lienert-Brown after watching Goodhue play for the Crusaders at 12 this year, I have seen how much of a weapon he is in attack with good feet, powerful carries and some play-making ability. I originally thought Goodhue was picked at 13 for his rock-solid defence, in the way Lukhanyo Am is at 13 for the Springboks. This competition has really made me notice that Goodhue can give solid defence and a handy attacking option at 12 too. My only bad word is that the mullet is gone.

11. George Bridge
He’s the English fullback George Furbank’s doppelgänger. Bridge has had a decent start to his All Blacks career with nine tries in nine appearances. Like his Crusaders teammate, there is some question about his defence, but his brilliant pace, sound ground kicking game and ability to cover 15 warrants Bridge a start again. The All Blacks should lock him in for this World Cup cycle as a key player needed to finish off attacking moves.

10. Richie Mo’unga
I’ve run out of superlatives to describe this man. He is a Rolls-Royce, and easily one of the best players in the world right now. Mo’unga has everything in his locker – deadly pace, vision, strong goal kicking, subtle hands and the list goes on and on. However, England targeted him in the World Cup semi-final with his position of defending the outside channel. But that certainly wasn’t the reason why NZ lost that day and it’s unfair to blame one missed tackle for it.

(Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)

9. Aaron Smith
There’s not much to say here but Smith has been an All Blacks legend. It’s only a matter of time before TJ Perenara takes his spot. He is a true servant of the game and still has enough to start under Foster. He has been one of the better Highlanders players in their bumpy ride this season.

1. Joe Moody
A scrummaging stalwart for both the Crusaders and his country, Moody is frequently used to success. A strong scrummager and a player with delicate hands, at 31 Moody still has ample of time to continue his consistent form for the men in black.

2. Codie Taylor
He has taken his opportunity very well since starting against the Lions in 2017. He pips Dane Coles, a man four years his senior. Taylor has shown with both NZ and the Crusaders he brings a very strong and consistent lineout and brutal scrum that has been the best in Super Rugby NZ and normal Super Rugby competitions. Taylor is a warrior and should be talked about as one of the best hookers in world rugby.

3. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
He has been awesome for the Blues for some time now and has been around the All Blacks camp as a settled member. It seems the South Africans and the Kiwis have the know-how and wealth of options in the front row and scrum and Tu’ungafasi is another one of those players.

4. Patrick Tuipulotu
He has led the Blues with distinction. He had incredible work rate in contact and in around the set piece. He led from the front in defence. Many will feel it is his time to be properly looked at as starting material.

Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

5. Sam Whitelock – captain
Again there is not much to see here. Whitelock will go down as one of the greatest All Blacks and players of the game. He’s got all the credentials to lead this team. He’s only 31.

6. Shannon Frizell
He got a few tries in Super Rugby and has been a standout for the Highlanders. He has a strong all-round game at the set piece and carries and tackles very well. He is a workhorse Foster should be looking at. He will complement Ardie Savea’s explosive running game with some carries of his own.

7. Dalton Papalii
Unfortunately Sam Cane’s poor form should make Foster rethink his decision for captaincy. Papalii has been immense as part of a thriving forward pack in Auckland and he can be the out-and-out fetcher for the All Blacks. He is always in and around the top tackling charts. Papalii is another young Kiwi whose time is now to be blooded into a very strong team.

8. Ardie Savea
He is a wrecking ball battering ram. A lot of people think Savea is just a crash-ball player but he is more than that, with energetic and tough defence and a part to play in set pieces. Savea is also menacing at rucks and will be able to assist Papalii in creating a dynamic back three where Frizell’s workload is into tackling with Savea while Savea and Papalii can be the designated fetchers.

Bench
Dane Coles will be reserve hooker. Reserve props will be Atu Moli and Nepo Laulala. Scott Barrett should feature alongside Cane, who could be like a tour squad co-captain that doesn’t necessarily start. The reserve backs are where spots are up for grabs and tightly contested. Laumape was unlucky to miss out and Foster will include him in at least the 23. He could even start. TJ Perenara is 100 per cent the reserve scrummie. Number 23 is a tough one, with Jordie Barrett the most likely claimant due to his experience, fantastic kicking ability and desired frame as a fullback who can win aerial, physical and foot-race battles.