All Blacks midfield

With Conrad Smith back in action last week for Wellington, some injury concerns the All Blacks had about their tour may have been eased. Some may not.
Richard Kahui and Isaia Toeava are out for the tour... and Luke McAlister may well join them this very week.

Who's then, ready to travel northwards? Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith, for sure.
Who else? Well, there's plenty to choose from: Tamati Ellison from Wellington, and Shoemark and Kawau from Southland also deserve a close look at them. Canterbury provide a few names; with Laulala leaving NZRU he misses what would have been a certain selection but still, Ryan Crotty, Tim Bateman and even Stephen Brett could fill the 12 position.

Plenty to choose from, actually. But who's going to be besides Nonu and Smith?

November tour players and ratings: New Zealand

Outside backs

Mils Muliaina: He's in the form of his life. 10/10

Isaia Toeava: As a fullback, much better than elsewhere. 8/10

Cory Jane: Promising, but not enough game time to tell.

Anthony Tuitavake: Improving, a regular in the All Blacks from now on. 7/10

Hosea Gear: Needs more test time but still, not enough games to tell.

Joe Rokocoko: He's taking his time. 7/10

Sitiveni Sivivatu: Much better under the high ball. 8/10

Midfield

Richard Kahui: He's been excellent, even tired as he was. 8/10

Conrad Smith: Outstanding. Always the best choice. 9/10

Ma'a Nonu: The player of the tour. 10/10

Halfbacks

Stephen Donald: Work in progress. But needs to improve. 7/10

Dan Carter: At his best. 9/10

Jimmy Cowan: One good and one bad, but I like him. 7/10

Piri Weepu: The same can be said about him. Much better as a replacement. 7/10

Andy Ellis: Not enough games to tell.

Third Row

Liam Messam: Not much time, but he was unbelievable in the number 8 jersey. 8/10

Kieran Read: He has moved past Thomson. Excellent choice by Henry. 8/10

Adam Thomson: How did he manage to get there? 6/10

Scott Waldrom: He needs more game time. 6/10

Jerome Kaino: Getting more and more consistent after every game. 8/10

Richie McCaw: As good as ever. 8/10

Rodney So'oialo: The silent worker. I like him more than ever. Always winning meters in his runs. 8/10

Second Row

Jason Eaton: Needs more game time. Not enough games to tell

Ross Filipo: Not enough games to tell.

Anthony Boric: Outstanding against Wales. 8/10

Brad Thorn: A bit tired, but a force. 8/10

Ali Williams: Superb: 9/10

First Row

Neemia Tialata: the best option at scrum-time. 8/10

John Afoa: the best running prop in the world (with permission of Tony Woodcock). Just needs a bit more consistency at the scrum. 8/10

Ben Franks: Not enough games to tell.

Corey Flynn: Too bad he got injured again.

Keven Mealamu: More than a decent cover. Hore or Mealamu? Cannot tell. 9/10

Jamie Mackintosh: The young giant gets better and better. Give him more time. 7/10

Tony Woodcock: He was called Myth and showed he's the best 1 in the world. Please, keep calling him names. 10/10