The thoughts I think are pretty much spot on as to what positions are not looking too flash.  Or at least, need replacements, and new boys on the jobs.

In order of urgency, you have a midfield that needs filling - and has since 2005 when Tana retired.  The two regular second fives Mauger and McAlister off accounting in England, and no centre has claimed the jersey on a regular basis since the Tana years.  So a midfield pairing would be great to start.

Then you have, in no real order or urgency, as there are some adequate players to fill the gaps, Tighthead prop, halfback, lock, and wing.

Lets get the certainties sorted first, the positions that are filled, and in more cases by pretty world class players, not just test class players.

In the pack the loose trio are sorted, two thirds of the front row, and half the locks in the substantial forms of Tony Woodcock (loosehead), Kevin Mealamu (hooker) , Ali Williams (lock), and the loose trio of Collins McCaw and So'oialo forming the flying squad in the loose.  Meaning that a tighthead prop and a lock are required.

The back line is a lot more fractured - there is need for a halfback, the midfield to be sorted, and a third wing is needed.  But that wing spot not too urgent, as I am sure that the likes of Nonu, Toeava and company could fill in there for a match or two if either of the cousins get injured.  Although getting another winger with the work ethic of Howlett would be nice to offset the brilliant, but at times bloody lazy Sivivatu and Rokocoko!

So those are the missing pieces in the All Black jigsaw - prop, lock, halfback, midfield.  Five positions out of 15, bugger.  Lets look at the options to fill these spaces.

Starting out with Tighthead prop you have following options, none that quite come up to the all round game of Carl Hayman, but some pretty able replacements really.

Greg Somerville must be favoured to reclaim the starting number three jersey - the most capped prop in All Black history, and at 30 years old, by no means 'past it'.  In straight propping terms would be the best of the candidates to fill the large boots of Hayman.  But these days the extras that a prop brings to his game is where Somerville at times struggles - in particular his defence.  He has got better as the years have rolled past though, obviously working on that aspect of his game.  If he can show continued improvement here during the Super season, he will sew up the three shirt in a no contest.

Neemia Tialata has been filling the third prop spot for the All Blacks while Somerville missed most of last season with injury.  However, with Tialata it is the opposite of Somerville.  His propping at times lets him down no end, a concentration issue you would have to think, as he is a big hua, and has all the physical attributes to be as dominating as Hayman at set piece time.  Around the field, when not running into stray fists at lineout time, he is good value.  If Somerville slips up, Tialata will slip into the top XV.

John Afoa would have to be the dark horse of the three favourites for the three jersey.  The best of the three, and in fact probably the best prop in New Zealand rugby at the moment with ball in hand, and around the field.  Like Tialata though, his scrummaging at times lets him down.  He has improved, and makes a prat of himself much less these days, but even once in a test match would be too much for me!  So nothing less than a flawless Super season from the big Aucklander, and we might just see him slip up the pecking order.  Will probably be in the All Black mix this season anyway, along with the other two mentioned, probably 4th cab in the rank though, behind his fellow Blues prop Woodcock also.

Campbell Johnstone would have to be an outside chance to fill this vacancy.  A lot will depending on where Somerville plays for the Crusaders this season - at loosehead and Johnstone will get plenty of chance to prove himself, but if Somerville gets the starts at three, than the Johnson challenge for All Black honours again will be dashed.  I wonder what would be best for Aussie rugby - probably Somerville starting at loosehead, so expect Robbie Deans (the Australian coach, coaching the Crusaders, how fouled up is that NZRFU you plonkers) to do that!!!

Dark horses to fill this position other than the above four - none.  I would have called Nathan White from the Chiefs to the trough, but he's out injured for the Super season, but also didn't seem to be in favour with the New Zealand selectors last season, missing out on the Junior All Blacks too, despite being part of a Chiefs front row that was seldom bettered.

The stats.
Greg Somerville:  :  Canterbury and Crusaders  :  30 years  :  1.87m  :  115kg  :  57 caps  :  rugby museum profile
Neemiah Tialata  :  Wellington and Hurricanes  :  25 years  :  1.87m  :  127kg  :  21 caps  :  rugby museum profile
John Afoa  :  Auckland and Blues  :  24 years  :  1.83m  :  126kg  :  3 caps  :  rugby museum profile
Campbell Johstone  :  Canterbury and Crusaders  :  27 years  :  1.83m  :  110kg  :  3 caps  :  rugby museum profile

Right, that is the important position sorted, probably.  Now for the next most important position - lock, the engine room at scrum time, the grunt merchants.  Who to pack down beside Ali Williams this season?  There are eight options I reckon,, but really, only two serious ones left now, especially with James Ryan out for the Super season with his shoulder / knee / everything injury being rested.

Jason Eaton would have to be favoured here.  He has gained a few kilos of muscle since his knee injury that wrecked his World Cup changes last season, and at 2.02 metres tall, is certainly not in the sawn off lock category!  The only down point perhaps for the big fella would be his play being to similar to Ali Williams - both being loose locks.  However, I am sure if it means an All Black jersey the bearded freak would tighten up his game!!  Although why not have two wide ranging locks - so long as they are not waiting out there for the ball, and doing their work first, than all would be well.  I for one would be happy to see Eaton and Ali in the second row.

Ross Filipo's inclusion in the All Blacks last season when the injuries rocked their camp showed that the journeyman lock was not out of his depth at that level.  Certainly has served his time at provincial and Super rugby level, and more than ready to continue an international career.  Should be in he mix regardless, even if not in the starting XV come the crunch test matches this season. 

Troy Flavell and Jono Gibbes are two more options that may be looked at, but both would be very stop gap.  Both now on the wrong side of 30, and both 'sawn off locks' at 1.95 and 1.94 metres tall respectively.  Not saying that they would not do the job asked - Gibbes in particular would not let the side down (Flavell's head always worries me, what space is it in at any one time - mind you, you have the same worry with Gibbes' body!!) - but don't expect to see this pair in black this season unless there are a half dozen injuries in the second row department!

That is the four All Blacks or former that are in contention this coming season.  So for the fourth lock, look to a new cap, and leading the way here I reckon are the four Highlanders locks this season, and in the following order.  A lot will depend on who gets the game time for the Clan as to their All Black aspirations.

Tom Donnelly has been performing well for a few seasons now in the Clan's engine room, and at 2.00 metres tall, 113 kilos is ideal for international rugby.  Strong around the field too, and more of a tight lock than the free range variety that Eaton and Williams are, so might round off the pack nicely.  Who knows, a top season for the expected to under perform Highlanders might see him leap frog to test status.

Hoani MacDonald is another man from the south who has been doing all things right over the last few seasons.  A bit longer in the tooth than Donnelly, but still a solid player, who can also double as a loose forward should that be needed as a bench option.  However, think he is a bit of a longshot.

Son of an All Black and Black fern Dad and Mum, Issac Ross is certainly an option too.  The biggest lock weight wise of this likely few, and certainly tall enough, it will rely on game time - if he gets it, then he may not be as long a shot as you would expect to reach higher honours.  From the few games I saw with Canterbury playing this season this boy has all the skills - looked a bit like Chris Jack running with the ball, but slightly less unco!

The last option, and probably the longest shot, but a player that I enjoy watching is Manawatu's Hayden Triggs.  A lightweight , but dynamic lock with a heart as big as a really big thing.  Reminds me of a young Ian Jones (but weighs a bit more than the 96kg that the young Jones did on debut)!  If given the chance with the Clan, than who knows what will happen.  If given the chance he would take it with both hands, and by that I mean at Super and international level.

Jason Eaton  :  Taranaki and Hurricanes  :  25 years  :  2.02m  :  111kg  :  10 caps  :  rugby museum profile
Ross Filipo  :  Wellington and Crusaders  :  28 years  :  1.98m  :  115kg  :  3 caps  :  rugby museum profile
Troy Flavell  :  Auckland and Blues  :  31 years  :  1.95m  :  111kg  :  22 caps  :  rugby museum profile
Jono Gibbes  :  Waikato and Chiefs  :  30 years  :  1.94m  :  112kg  :  8 caps  :  rugby museum profile
Tom Donnelly  :  Otago and Highlanders  :  26 years  :  2.00m  :  113kg  :  Junior All Black 2006, 2007
Hoani MacDonald  :  Southland and Highlanders  :  29 years  :  1.98m  :  111kg  :  Junior All Black 2006
Issac Ross  :  Canterbury and Highlanders  :  23 years  :  1.99m  :  118kg  :  NZ Maori 2007
Hayden Triggs  :  Manawatu and Highlanders  :  25 years  :  2:01m  :  108kg  :  Really tall bloke...

Jeez this has been going on long enough - I'll run the Bart-o-metre over the blouses later this week... Meanwhile, join the fun here on the forum to add your thoughts...