Right here, right now - who are the 31 players the All Blacks will pick for the World Cup and who are those 14 backs and 17 forwards?
Remember there will be three hookers, three halfbacks and at least three five-eighths in that group while prop Charlie Faumuina's fitness remains marginal after his neck surgery.
Others may be unfortunate to join Aaron Cruden, Patrick Tuipulotu and Waisake Naholo on the injured list and if that occurs the final selection may become easier or more challenging.
You fancy the final quibbles will be about the fullback-wing mix, the five-eighths, the last loosie and fifth prop. Barring injury, the names of about 27 players could be sent to the programme publishers now.
The third halfback behind Aaron Smith and TJ Perenara will be either Andy Ellis, Tawera Kerr-Barlow or at a real pinch Brad Weber. Kerr-Barlow had been with the group until his severe knee injury last season while Ellis was not sighted after the World Cup final.
He's back, and while his work against Samoa was patchy at least he's been playing all year unlike the unlucky Kerr-Barlow and Augustine Pulu who has broken his arm. Ellis has the experience of the last tournament to give him a minuscule advantage.
Daniel Carter will be the premier five-eighth because of game management and goal-kicking garnishes with Beauden Barrett as one specialist colleague -- and useful utility help for the back four -- with Lima Sopoaga or Colin Slade.
It was a boost to see Sopoaga carry his Super 15 form through into his fine test debut and those specialist talents are gold if required. He might be asked to keep those skills simmering with Slade, on the basis of been there done that from 2011, helping his cause.
Midfield will be a Ma'a Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams, Malakai Fekitoa, Conrad Smith grouping where SBW and Fekitoa can also be given a run on the wing in some of the easier pool matches.
Ben Smith, Charles Piutau and Julian Savea are stone-cold picks for the backfield with Israel Dagg in the frame again after his recovery from injury. Not so fortunate are the injured Hurricanes pair of Cory Jane and Nehe Milner-Skudder who will lose out to the added versatility of Barrett, Slade and several midfielders.
In the mix of 17 forwards, it looks like five props, three hookers, four locks and five loose forwards will pile into the business-class section of the flight to Europe.
Tony Woodcock, Wyatt Crockett and Owen Franks are inked in, probably with Ben Franks and either a repaired Faumuina who can get up to speed or Nepo Laulala. It is a very tight fitness race for the Blues prop.
Dane Coles and Keven Mealamu are clear choices at hooker and now Codie Taylor has firmed ahead of Hika Elliot, where his athletic ball-handling, defence and lineout throwing are strong and his added weight has helped his scrummaging.
The battle for James Broadhurst on debut probably means the panel will pick Jeremy Thrush as the more experienced fourth lock to go with Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick and Luke Romano.
Four of the loose-forwards must be sorted. That's presuming Sam Cane is fine although we haven't seen him so far this test season but if he's good to go, he'll edge out Matt Todd.
The last place will be a duel between Liam Messam and Victor Vito as it was for 2011 where Vito got the nod. Messam looked short of a run at Ellis Park and sidetracked, as he did at times in Super rugby, rather than locked into his blindside duties.
Vito offers more at No 8 while he or McCaw could bring blindside cover for Jerome Kaino.
Possible ABs squad
Backs: Ben Smith, Israel Dagg, Charles Piutau, Julian Savea, Conrad Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, Ma'a Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams, Daniel Carter, Beauden Barrett, Colin Slade, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Andy Ellis.Forwards: Kieran Read, Victor Vito, Richie McCaw, Sam Cane, Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Jeremy Thrush, Owen Franks, Nepo Laulala, Ben Franks, Tony Woodcock, Wyatt Crockett, Dane Coles, Keven Mealamu, Codie Taylor.
