The All Blacks have a difficult choice to make as to the wearer of the No.15 jersey for this weekend's Rugby Championship opener against Argentina in Mendoza.
After the withdrawal of Will Jordan from the All Blacks' 36-man squad, 26-year-old Shaun Stevenson is the only specialist fullback in camp for Ian Foster to pick on Sunday.
However, the pair of Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie also give the All Blacks options at No.15, despite being listed as first-fives when the Rugby Championship squad was announced.
On the surface, it appears to be a two-way shootout between Stevenson and Barrett.
One one hand, Stevenson offers Foster fresh blood and an unknown x-factor in a World Cup year after his breakout form for the Chiefs in Super Rugby Pacific - akin to Nehe Milner-Skudder's rapid rise in 2015.
As part of the Chiefs side that came within one kick of winning Super Rugby, Stevenson played 15 of 17 matches, averaging 71 minutes per game with 12 tries scored.
On the other hand, Barrett stands tall as one of the All Blacks' most experienced players, one of a handful in the current squad to have actually won a World Cup.
Furthermore, his existing relationship with Richie Mo'unga, gives Barrett a headstart in terms of building vital combinations in the final run-in to this year's tournament in France.
With just five tests to go before the World Cup kicks off, two-test All Blacks hooker James Parsons says time is running out for Foster to blood new talent.
And given the truncated nature of this year's Rugby Championship, there is no better time to throw Stevenson to the wolves.
"It's now or never for Shaun," Parsons told Aotearoa Rugby Pod. "A few other boys have been sent home, it's his opportunity, his time.
"If it's going to be now, finding that opportunity away from home will give them confidence that say someone does go down in the World Cup, he's had that moment in the sun.
"It'll be a tough atmosphere, and he's just in red-hot form. Look at the way he stood up in that [Super Rugby] final. Him as an individual, I think it's the best footy [he's played].
"In terms of the pressure, the occasion, and what he's delivered in all facets of his game - I think he'll be in the 15 jersey.
"They don't need to see anymore of Beaudy [Barrett]. They know what Beaudy can do.
"For Shaun, all the ducks have fallen into a row… I think the time is now, put him in the 15 jersey."
Meanwhile, former All Blacks halfback Bryn Gatland sees things differently.
Despite the option of Stevenson, Barrett's big game experience, and partnership with Mo'unga, will ultimately see him given the nod.
"You talk about the outside backs, are they going to start Shooter [Stevenson] or are they going to start Beauden Barrett with Richie Mo'unga to get that cohesion heading into the World Cup?" asked Hall.
"I'm thinking that's the way they're going to go for the next five or six test matches.
"They should go with [Stevenson] at fullback, but for me personally, I think they'll stick with Beaudy."
What's more, should Stevenson not start at fullback, it's unlikely he'd feature at all against Argentina.
Given the All Blacks' current tactics, where one of Barrett or McKenzie will likely slot onto the bench in the No.22, the last remaining reserve will likely be wing/midfield cover.
The selections of Braydon Ennor and Dallas McLeod in the squad ahead of the likes of Jack Goodhue and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck already point to the importance of having players who can cover both roles.
And should Stevenson be overlooked for Sunday, Parsons tips a debut for Crusaders utility McLeod after his surprise call-up.
"We always say that No.23 man is a key role, in terms of covering the midfield and outside [backs]," added Parsons.
"You'd have to think McLeod is sitting pretty for that 23 spot. He can literally play all those positions outside No.10. He's looking good for that spot."
The first All Blacks side of the year will be named on Friday (NZ time).
