Just throwing some random thoughts out there on what the Cartels objectives (in terms of player development) might be for this series.

• Tialata at tighthead? With some serious doubts over Somerville's participation later in the year Tialata is obviously being groomed as the bench prop but hes played almost all of his rugby at LHP for the ABs (only exception was against SA in Pretoria last year). Which is funny because hes played almost exclusively at 3 for the Hurricanes and Wellington. So the Cartel might like to get some hard reassurance that Neh can back up big Carl without too many concerns.

• Thorne at lock? There has been a few drums beating over Lauaki and it was interesting to see him in camp training with the JABs, despite not being able to run for a month or so yet. It seems there are obviously people higher up keen for his fitness to be managed. With that in mind if Lauaki was to be shoehorned into the squad it would probably be at the expense of Thorne/Flavell. So reading between the lines it seems the Cartels thinking is that if Thorne can adequately cover lock than Flavell is superfluous, and maybe vice versa if Flavell can replicate his early S14 form.

• Can Leonard perform his halfback duties adequately AND be a threat with the ball at this level? If he can then he can start brushing up on his French right now.

• Evans/MacDonald? Is it necessary to have both these two in a squad which quite possibly already has sufficient first five and fullback cover? Considering that Mils, Carter, McAlister, Mauger, Howlett and Toeava have all played first five or fullback at test level, do we need another specialist in each position? Considering neither is in a rich vein of form, one might get given the heave ho to free up room for a 17th forward.

• Toeava. We know his class, and after being exposed to (and by) test rugby last year he looks like hes taken it all onboard and comeback a more determined and driven player. He had his appetite whetted and he knows what test rugby is now about, hopefully he be able to translate the S14 form he produced onto the big stage in the coming weeks.