Since training camps have become the rage ahead of the June test window, the All Blacks have run a series of get-togethers with a larger group of players.
Sometimes Hansen and his coaching group will leave out those they know well but keep them in mind for test selection, while they take a punt on others they want to know more about.
Hansen announced his latest 35-strong training group yesterday and they will assemble for a camp in Christchurch from Sunday to next Tuesday and in Wellington from Sunday, May 25 to Tuesday, May 27.
The wider training group includes five players who are uncapped at international level.
Highlanders midfielder Malakai Fekitoa, Blues lock Patrick Tuipulotu, Hurricanes halfback TJ Perenara and hookers Nathan Harris and Liam Coltman have all been summoned, although Perenara was a regular squad member last year.
They may not make the final cut to meet England in a three-test home series next month but Hansen and his fellow wise men will be comfortable in the knowledge they have done enough to canvas the newcomers.
Fekitoa only recently turned 22 but has produced an eye-catching string of games for the Highlanders in 2014.
"His form was such that we couldn't not include him," Hansen said. "He's been playing very, very well and ticked all the boxes and he's someone we are very interested in looking at and getting to know a bit better."
The 21-year-old Tuipulotu is a player who holds similar intrigue.
"Patrick, the young lock from Auckland, is someone that we want to see and see what he's like close up so that wider training group's an opportunity to do that," Hansen said.
Hansen acknowledged hooker was an ongoing concern, which had been punctuated with the news that veteran Crusaders rake Corey Flynn will leave New Zealand at the end of the Super Rugby season to link with French club Toulouse.
Behind Keven Mealamu and the ever-improving Dane Coles there's a noted lack of depth.
Coltman is known to the All Blacks selectors after spending time with the team last year but Harris, who has impressed for the Chiefs this season, is someone who could develop nicely.
Halfback is a position where Hansen has chosen to leave out veterans Andy Ellis and Piri Weepu with an eye to ironing out a few "rough edges" from Perenara's game, while Chiefs No 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow is also growing.
Hurricanes No 8 Victor Vito has been recalled after improving his physicality but joins a congested loose forward mix where Hansen said he had the toughest job deciding who would be picked.
Selecting the returning Jerome Kaino was a no-brainer, while the broken ankle suffered by Crusaders lock Luke Romano means fellow Cantabrian Luke Whitelock will take part in the Christchurch camp, while Hurricanes second-rower Jeremy Thrush will get a chance at the Wellington camp.
Blues outside back Charles Piutau's knee problem allowed Hansen and Co to pick an extra first-five, which resulted in Colin Slade being selected to practice alongside Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett.
Hansen will name his 31-strong squad to meet England on Sunday, June 1.
All Blacks' wider training group:
Hookers: Keven Mealamu (Blues), Nathan Harris (Chiefs), Dane Coles (Hurricanes) and Liam Coltman (Highlanders).
Props: Charlie Faumuina and Tony Woodcock (Blues), Ben Franks (Hurricanes) and Wyatt Crockett and Owen Franks (Crusaders).
Locks: Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues), Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Jeremy Thrush* (Hurricanes) and Dominic Bird and Sam Whitelock (Crusaders).
Loose forwards: Jerome Kaino and Steven Luatua (Blues), Sam Cane and Liam Messam (Chiefs), Victor Vito (Hurricanes) and Richie McCaw, Kieran Read and Luke Whitelock* (Crusaders).
Halfbacks: Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Chiefs), TJ Perenara (Hurricanes) and Aaron Smith (Highlanders).
First five-eighths: Aaron Cruden (Chiefs), Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes) and Colin Slade (Crusaders).
Midfielders: Ma'a Nonu (Blues), Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), Ryan Crotty (Crusaders) and Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders).
Outside backs: Cory Jane and Julian Savea (Hurricanes), Israel Dagg (Crusaders) and Ben Smith (Highlanders).
* Luke Whitelock will only attend the Christchurch camp and Jeremy Thrush will only attend the Wellington camp.
- by Daniel Richardson of APNZ
