Crusaders winger Leicester Fainga'anuku is tipped to make his All Blacks debut, in the race against Caleb Clarke to claim the No.11 jersey for Saturday's series-opener against Ireland.
Fainga'anuku is one of six new faces in the All Blacks ranks for the three-test series, handed his maiden call-up after two outstanding Super Rugby campaigns for the Crusaders.
Capable of covering both wing and centre, Fainga'anuku scored 10 tries in the Crusaders' victorious 2022 campaign, helping his side to a sixth title in as many years.
If coach Ian Foster opts for a blockbusting 'power winger' in his No.11 jersey before next year's World Cup in France, Fainga'anuku stands tall as a contender.
Standing in Fainga'anuku's way is Clarke, 23, back in the All Blacks ranks, after missing the 2021 campaign to chase a sevens spot at the Tokyo Olympics.
In 2020, Clarke caught the eye for the Blues in Super Rugby Aotearoa, making his All Blacks debut against Australia in the Bledisloe Cup, playing five tests and scoring one try.
But he has battled fitness issues so far in 2022, missing the end of the Blues season with a hamstring strain and yet to make his competitive return before the All Blacks' season-opener.
With the first test against Ireland looming, Fainga'anuku and Clarke are the two contenders to wear No.11 at Eden Park, with former All Blacks wingers Jeff Wilson and Sir John Kirwan both favouring a debut.
"Of the players, the new players, Leicester Fainga'anuku is the one for me who is the closest to not just being on the bench - he may start the first test," Wilson said on Sky Sport's Breakdown.
"I look at the fact Caleb Clarke hasn't had a lot of rugby in the last six weeks, since his hamstring injury. I can't see Caleb getting an opportunity in the first one.
"I could be mistaken here, but I'm looking for a 'power winger'. I think the combination of him and Will Jordan, if Jordie Barrett is at the back.
"He's had a great season."
Kirwan concurs and states the need for Fainga'anuku's physicality in combination with Jordan on the opposite flank in the No.14 jersey.
Crusaders teammate Sevu Reece could also line up on the right wing, should Foster choose to utilise Jordan at fullback, where he plays at Super Rugby level.
"I agree, I think he starts," he added. "Havili and Fainga'anuku in the [Super Rugby Pacific] final were outstanding, and I think he's done enough.
"If it's Will, we need a big dominant winger and he starts for sure."
The first All Blacks team of the year will be named on Thursday.
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