They managed to cut five players this morning but All Blacks selectors still face a tough task finding their final 31 for the Rugby World Cup, coach Steve Hansen said.
Hansen announced his 34-man squad for the pair of upcoming Bledisloe Tests in Christchurch this morning with the likes of Shannon Frizell and Dalton Papalii missing the cut.
Asked if there was a "worry" around the more contested positions in the squad, Hansen replied with a more positive tone.
"Not so much a worry, it's more the headache of having too many good players."
Despite Frizell and Papalii being culled, Hansen admits selectors still face tough talks in the loose forwards for Japan.
"That six role, we've had plenty of players put their hand up," Hansen said.
The loose forwards still in the squad are Sam Cane, Vaea Fifita, Luke Jacobson, Kieran Read, Ardie Savea and Matt Todd, while Jackson Hemopo can also provide cover at blindside despite being named as a lock.
Another heavily-contested position in the squad is the midfield with Jack Goodhue, Ngani Laumape, Anton Lienert-Brown and Sonny Bill Williams the current selections.
However injured veteran Ryan Crotty is also in the mix along with a sixth, Hansen said.
"We've got four, five, six if you include Braydon Ennor that can play in the midfield who are all exceptionally good players."
SHARE ME