There is likely to be some switching of loose forward positions overs the next few days as the All Black coaches try to find their best combination for the start of the international season.
The All Blacks go into camp in Auckland today to prepare for their opening match of the season against France in Dunedin next week.
Without Richie McCaw and Rodney So'oialo, the loose forward trio will lack some experience with Adam Thomson likely to take the number seven jersey, with Jerome Kaino, Kieren Read and Liam Messam contenders for the other two positions.
The All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen says they see the versatile Chiefs forward Messam as a number 8.
