Chiefs midfielder Quinn Tupaea might provide the answers to the All Blacks' troublesome conundrum at No.12, after impressive performances in recent Super Rugby Pacific rounds.
Earlier this season, All Blacks coach Ian Foster indicated midfield selections, along with loose forward, were areas causing him headaches, as he finalises his roster for the coming season.
A season-ending injury to Anton Lienert-Brown has only intensified the issue, leaving the likes of Tupaea, David Havili and Jordie Barrett as possible contenders for the second-five spot
Blues recruit Roger Tuivasa-Sheck also looms as a bolter, after leaving NZ Warriors to swap codes at the end of last year, but Tupaea has put himself at front of mind for the All Blacks selectors, scoring a hat-trick of tries in the Chiefs' 54-21 victory over Western Force.
The 23-year-old made his All Blacks debut in June 2021, making seven test appearances over the season and scoring one try.
On Sky Sport's Breakdown, former All Blacks fullback Mils Muliaina claimed Tupaea's strong finish to the season could thrust him into Foster's plans for the first test of the year, against Ireland on July 2.
"It's almost like he's gone out and picked specific things to really focus on," Muliana said. "He struggled in the early part of the season, got pushed out to the wing, even to the bench - the coach dropped him a couple of times.
"Now he's finding that really nice rhythm. The pleasing part about that is we're leading into the finals, that's when you need your big-time players.
"You've just lost Anton Lienert-Brown, there's competition within the 10s. It's a chance for a young All Black to really step up, right at the right time of the season.
"That's what you want from Quinn, so I'm glad he's hitting his straps."
Referee Ben O'Keeffe had a front row seat to watch Tupaea's hat-trick and concurred that he should be in the conversation over who'll don the No.12 jersey when the All Blacks begin their season.
"He looked great," O'Keeffe said. "He scored early on, but he kept playing, kept running straight.
"That's what we need in New Zealand rugby - a player who can carry the ball like that.
"He's definitely putting his hand up and I think at the right time as well."
Join us at 3pm Saturday for live updates of the Chiefs v Fijian Drua Super Rugby Pacific clash
