The All Blacks newcomers have done everything required of them, says forwards coach Jason Ryan, as the race for World Cup spots reaches its apex.
This year, as the All Blacks named an extended squad for the Rugby Championship, six new players were called into coach Ian Foster's squad for the first time.
Initially, Hurricanes halfback Cam Roigard, Crusaders pair Tamaiti Williams and Dallas McLeod, and Samipeni Finau and Emoni Narawa of the Chiefs were named, before Shaun Stevenson was later called in for the trip to Argentina.
In the first three tests of the year, Narawa, Williams and Roigard have all made their test debuts. Narawa, 24, won his first cap in the 41-12 victory over Argentina and scored a try to mark the occasion.
Prop Williams, 22, came off the bench in last month's 35-20 win over South Africa, while Roigard became All Black No.1210 on Saturday, replacing Aaron Smith, as the All Blacks comfortably dispatched Australia 38-7.
While it's never uncommon to see the All Blacks blood new players, doing so in a World Cup year only makes the selection race more interesting.
With time ticking before the All Blacks confirm their 33-man squad for France on Monday, Ryan claims the six newcomers have justified their presence among the Rugby Championship-retaining group.
"We've always said, when we picked this team, we want to win first and foremost," said Ryan. "The black jersey demands that, but with that comes being brave with selections and giving guys an opportunity.
"If you look at the last few tests, we have given guys a crack and they've taken their opportunity.
"That's exactly what we wanted… that's what we want in a World Cup year, getting the balance right and selecting guys that are here for a reason."
On Saturday afternoon, the All Blacks will play their final test before the World Cup squad is announced, as well as the last home test of the year.
With both the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup secured, Foster says there will be changes to the matchday 23 that takes the field against Australia at Dunedin.
Aside from a chance to say goodbye to players leaving after this season, the fixture also represents the last chance for the All Blacks to get a look at the final three uncapped players.
While Stevenson and McLeod may be too late to make an impression, due to outstanding form of players already ahead of them, things may not be the same for Finau. After a breakthrough season with the Chiefs, the Tongan-born loose forward was a surprise selection in Foster's initial squad.
With the team to face Australia named on Thursday morning, Finau could be debutant No.4 this year, with Shannon Frizell likely to be rested, after a bruising start to the year.
Ryan has overseen Finau's time in the All Blacks and insists the loose forward has justified his presence among his contemporaries.
"Everything we saw in Super Rugby, we're seeing in his training," added Ryan. "He's very diligent, he prides himself on getting his homework done.
"He's had a good physical presence at training - that's what we want from our six.
"He's tracking away nicely."
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