All Blacks ponder selection options

The absence of injured duo Luke McAlister and Conrad Smith has left New Zealand's coaches with a selection headache ahead of next month's Tri-Nations Tests against South Africa and Australia.

With the incumbent midfield duo ruled out for the remainder of the series and Richard Kahui out for the year with a damaged shoulder, Graham Henry and his backs coach Wayne Smith will be casting their eye over provincial matches - particularly the Ranfurly Shield game between Wellington and Canterbury - over the next couple of weekends to assess the form of players such as Ma'a Nonu and Isaia Toeava.