OPINION: Picking an All Black team nine rounds into Super Rugby can be a mine field, particularly when you consider players injured and players returning.
But if Super Rugby form in the opening half of the season is completely ignored by All Blacks selectors, where's the incentive for players to perform?
That being said, if Steve Hansen was left to choose an All Black side based solely on their current form in the first eight rounds, who would make the grade? It was only 10 years ago that there were just 12 rounds of Super Rugby, 14 including the finals.
Forwards
The beauty about the forward pack under Steve Hansen since the end of the 2015 Rugby World Cup is that the second and back rows have virtually become interchangeable. This means the likes of Jerome Kaino and Ardie Savea can play across the back row or second row if needed and makes them easier to select.
With Matt Todd in sparkling form for the Crusaders, he gets the nod ahead of Sam Cane.
Up front, Hurricanes loosehead Ben May is rewarded for making scrum time hellish for opposition tight heads in the first half of 2017. Meanwhile, Dane Coles' absence means Codie Taylor and Owen Franks round out the rest of the front row.
On the bench, the hard-working, no-frills Liam Coltman comes in as the back-up hooker while Mark Abbott and Brad Shields' rich form for the Hurricanes as well as their versatility is rewarded.
Halves
The halves are where it starts to get a little tricky. There's no denying TJ Perenara's influence on a team but Tawera Kerr-Barlow's pass and his movement has been second to none in 2017. Playing like a man with nothing but endless European summers on his mind after signing to move to Toulon next season, his clarity has been stunningly evident. Beauden Barrett because, well he's Beauden Barrett and he's shown there's not much he can't do this year.
Centres
Definitely the area where there's most conjecture. Ngani Laumape's form at 12 is impossible to overlook and whilst he's been outside Beauden Barrett which has definitely helped, that would be a devastating combination in international rugby.
On the other hand, Rieko Ioane has appeared the only Blues player at times to give everything he's got during their stuttering season. If he's hit a gap in the first eight rounds, he's made the opposition pay.
The two playing together in the midfield? Dynamite.
Outside backs
More conjecture but the way all three players have stood out for their Super Rugby teams have shown the way. Melani Nanai has looked frighteningly good, particularly when dealing with the high ball in recent weeks and his work rate has increased out of sight.
Ben Smith and Julian Savea are the incumbents with the latter showing no sign of his poor early season form of recent seasons. Vince Aso is the big call-up on the bench with his ability to play both centre and winger a factor in his selection.
All Blacks match day 23 based on form from Super Rugby's opening eight rounds:
1. Ben May
2. Codie Taylor
3. Owen Franks
4. Brodie Retallick
5. Samuel Whitelock
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Matt Todd
8. Ardie Savea
9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
10. Beauden Barrett
11. Julian Savea
12. Ngani Laumape
13. Rieko Ioane
14. Melani Nanai
15. Ben Smith
Reserves: 16. Liam Coltman, 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Charlie Faumuina 19. Mark Abbott 20. Brad Shields 21. TJ Perenara 22. Aaron Cruden 23. Vince Aso
Matt Tewhatu is a reporter for Newshub
