Is Mils Muliaina going to be like Sir Donald Bradman, Colin Montgomerie and Stirling Moss? Stuck just short of the ultimate record, not quite able to scale Everest?
Muliaina's non-selection at fullback for the opening game of the World Cup makes you wonder whether Graham Henry really has decided that it is going to be form rather than experience that is going to win him this World Cup.
Henry has trotted out the line he wants another look at Israel Dagg and Muliaina is still in with a chance.
But if Dagg plays well, then Muliaina is skating on thin ice.
Dagg is in form. He appears to be one of those few players - Jeff Wilson and Jonah Lomu are others - who can do something special when the need arises, and has the exuberance of youth.
Muliaina, who sits on 98 test caps, is on the down side of his career, is heading for the Land of the Rising Sun and may have lost that yard of pace he once had.
He will probably have one more chance next week against Japan in Hamilton, which will leave him on 99 tests. He is certainly going to feel the heat in Hamilton next Friday night.
It could, though, be an early call to write the obituary on the Muliaina career in the black jersey.
The same thing happened last year and Muliaina rose to the challenge, while Dagg eventually cried off with injury.
But if the moving on of Muliaina for Dagg is a case of youth winning over experience then how come the selectors have picked a rusty Tony Woodcock?All is not lost for Muliaina. He can always go and play centre.
For when World Cups come around, the All Blacks always seem to pick someone who is totally not suited for the No 13 jersey.
This team looks somewhat short of the top line-up, especially with Sonny Bill Williams named in the backline and Richard Kahui on the wing.
Williams must make the most of the opportunity given to him, and should relish taking on the physical Tongans. With Ma'a Nonu and Williams together, there is going to be plenty of smash 'em bro.
New Zealand's greatest midfield back was Bert Cooke, who played in the 1920s. One wonders how the man labelled a genius would have gone in today's game. Williams is nearly 50kg heavier than him.
But realistically it is hard to see Williams getting into the starting side ahead of Conrad Smith.
Hooker Andrew Hore will relish getting a start. He is not really an impact player. Much better giving him 60 minutes and then let Corey Flynn get another cap.
The Tongans, though, should provide stiffer competition than the last couple of times the men from the island kingdom have faced the All Blacks at the World Cup.
The side has a good sprinkling of seasoned players and if those players can keep their discipline - which is a big if - then the All Blacks should get the game they are hoping for.
The selectors will probably give everyone in the 30-man squad a chance in the first two games and then with the crunch game against France will go with their best team.
And from then on it had better be the best and only the best XV wearing the All Black jersey.
After four years and countless tests they must know who their best team is.