There were a few surprises and not only in the names read out by All Black coach Graham Henry yesterday for the trip to Japan and Europe. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at the team and the moves away from the selection field.
WAS he pushed? Did he stand aside? Or is it, as they say, a chance to refresh and spark things up?
Just as the naming of four new caps came as surprise for many, there were plenty of raised eyebrows after the shuffling of roles in the All Black coaching hierarchy.
Head coach Graham Henry will now take charge of the forwards, from Steve Hansen, while Wayne Smith will look after the defence.
Hansen, away from the line-out, will help come up with plans on attack.
The move is said to have been conceived by the coaches to introduce fresh ideas and different skills to the team, and it has been fully supported by senior players.
It was downplayed by the trio yesterday and, whatever the truth behind it, the shuffle means a change for the coaches, and that can not be a bad thing.
If the players improve as a result of hearing instructions delivered by a different voice, then so much the better.
Henry said he was looking forward to the challenge, and though the "C" word is overused, Henry, as head coach, should be in charge of the front eight.
Despite all the changes in rugby, the game is still won and lost in the forwards.
Much has been made of the incompetent All Black line-out, but that was due more to the opposition than poor coaching.
It is not as though everyone works in isolation.
The forwards and backs come together, and the way the game is these days, forwards are often impersonating backs.
The three men have all coached international teams so should know a few things about all facets of a rugby team.
And they do all sit in the same box on game days.
As well, the move should placate all those critics who question why Hansen should coach the forwards when he never played up front.
That argument has never held much water - so unless you strum a guitar you can not rank Bob Dylan above Beyonce? - but Hansen said he was looking forward to his role.
Smith said not much would change in defence, and it is hard to see what will be radically different.
On the field, the selectors have gone for form while acknowledging the Air New Zealand Cup is the third-tier competition.
Otago's Ben Smith, who is selected as one of three wingers (and the only specialist right wing) for the tour, gets his chance after a spectacular past few weeks at the back for Otago, while Zac Guildford has been rewarded for some great wing play.
Henry said they both had good skill sets, were able to counter-attack, sound under the high ball and slotted well into a back three.
Those abilities, or lack thereof, cost Joe Rokocoko and Hosea Gear spots on the tour.
Mike Delany has been rewarded for fine form, after being sharp on both attack and defence and showing great sense around the field.
Tamati Ellison was always going to be in the frame after Isaia Toeava dropped out because of injury.
Taking two hookers was a bit left-field, but Aled de Malmanche's poor line-out throwing ultimately cost him.
Isaac Ross was left at home to bulk up with a view to his playing international rugby in the future, while Colin Slade lost out to players who were better in front of him.
The tour is not going to be easy, featuring games such as a France test in Marseille, but the best thing about the party is that the selectors have picked players on form.
Form is said to be temporary, class permanent.
Six weeks will be temporary enough for most All Black supporters.
