The potential bolters in the All Blacks’ 44

This is a modal window. The Playback API request failed for an unknown reason ANALYSIS: The Greatest Rivalry tour of South Africa represents a golden opportunity for All Blacks coach Dave Rennie to blend veterans with uncapped players in a 44-strong squad that will embark on one of the most daunting missions since the game turned professional more than 30 years ago. Having selected 34 players for the Nations Championship, Rennie mingled his selections during the wins over France, Italy and Ireland and the decision to start Ruben Love at first five-eighth in each suggests the Hurricanes player will be lumped with the responsibility of being chief playmaker for the tests against the Springboks. The only players not required for duty in the July tests were first five-eighth/fullback Beauden Barrett, halfback Kyle Preston and loose forward Simon Parker. Rennie is expected to stick with the bulk of the squad before bolting on an additional 10 players for the eight-match tour of the Republic, which will include three tests against the Springboks, followed by another in Baltimore. Although conquering the world champion Springboks will be difficult, Rennie should have gleaned enough confidence from the statement performance against Ireland in Auckland to be quietly confident that he can construct a test team capable of chucking road spikes in front of the mighty Springboks machine.