Beauden Barrett's ability to cover fullback is a massive asset when picking the All Blacks but there is no room for his brother Jordie.

OPINION: Experience, three No 9s and No 10s and a 19-14 forwards/backs split.

Those are the foundations for the All Blacks squad I would send out to give Warren Gatland's men the warmest of receptions.

As crunch-time approaches my appetite for bolters decreases: hence no Jordie Barrett even though he is perfectly capable. There is ample coverage at fullback in any case.

GETTY IMAGES Malakai Fekitoa has been solid defensively and shown flashes of brilliance on attack.

No Rieko Ioane either. He has not done enough to demand a sport. Mine is a familiar squad of hard heads who can get stuck into their work quickly. And it begins with the pack.

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The Crusaders' form means that one of the toughest calls, between Luke Romano or Patrick Tuipulotu as back-up lock, has become progressively easier.

It was fascinating to hear how Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has put a focus on putting the kilometres in his men's legs. Perhaps this has been key to a mini Romano revival.

He has faced heavy competition for game time behind Scott Barrett and Sam Whitelock but whenever he has been on the field he has made a contribution. Tuipulotu's handling errors on contact have also counted against him.

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Seven loose forwards are selected to reflect the injury concerns there, with Bristol-bound Steven Luatua simply too good to leave out. As for the three No 7s good luck picking the starter. I have Matt Todd in front by a nose.

In the backs Tawera Kerr-Barlow joins Aaron Smith and TJ Perenara at No 9. Perhaps the All Blacks selectors will go with only two halfbacks to free up a utility spot in the backs but I am drawn to the comfort of three specialists in key positions, particularly when all three halfbacks are in superb form.

That yearning for specialists also explains the selection of Lima Sopoaga as a third No 10 rather than Damian McKenzie to cover No 10 and No 15.

GETTY IMAGES. Luke Romano, pictured wining a lineout against the Hurricanes, has had a form revival under Scott Robertson at the Crusaders.

Sopoaga is short of game time but should significantly add to his minutes against the Waratahs in Dunedin on Saturday and is a smart footballer who has performed for the All Blacks before. In the scenario of Beauden Barrett or Aaron Cruden getting injured who would you like to see on the bench as back-up No 10? For me it is Sopoaga with his run-pass-kick threat and his excellent goalkicking.

The midfield area is complicated at first glance but it does not remain so with a bit of thought.

Ryan Crotty and Sonny Bill Williams are automatic selections and Anton Lienert-Brown's huge work-rate means he isn't far behind. He has not yet hit his best form but clearly has capital in the bank with the selectors.

The fourth spot belongs to Malakai Fekitoa. George Moala has improved as the season has gone on and Seta Tamanivalu offers more versatility with his ability to play on the wing, but Fekitoa is rock solid defensively and has provided flashes of excellence on attack.

That leaves the back three: it picks itself because Nehe Milner-Skudder is unlikely to be available and Beauden Barrett offers cover at fullback.

So 19 forwards and 14 backs. It is an imposing squad.

Forwards (19): Dane Coles (Hurricanes), Codie Taylor (Crusaders), Nathan Harris (Chiefs); Owen Franks (Crusaders), Charlie Faumuina (Blues), Joe Moody (Crusaders), Wyatt Crockett (Crusaders), Ofa Tu'ungafasi (Blues); Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), Luke Romano (Crusaders), Scott Barrett (Crusaders); Kieran Read (Crusaders, captain), Liam Squire (Highlanders), Jerome Kaino (Blues), Steven Luatua (Blues), Sam Cane (Chiefs), Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), Matt Todd (Crusaders)

Backs (14): Aaron Smith (Highlanders), TJ Perenara (Hurricanes), Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Chiefs); Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), Aaron Cruden (Chiefs), Lima Sopoaga (Highlanders); Ryan Crotty (Crusaders), Sonny Bill Williams (Blues), Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs), Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders); Israel Dagg (Crusaders), Julian Savea (Hurricanes), Waisake Naholo (Highlanders), Ben Smith (Highlanders).