All Blacks Watch 4 Months Out From Rugby World Cup!

Will we see this again at Twickenham later this year? (courtesy of ODT)

There are only 6 rounds remaining in Super Rugby and with no international break this season (yay!), it is pretty much a sprint to the finish from here till the Final in July.

The form of key All Blacks in this Rugby World Cup year has definitely been followed with great interest and it has to be said that you'd only rate the current form of the incumbent All Blacks, at most 6 out of 10.

It has definitely been a mixed bag - while the likes of the Hurricanes ABs like Nonu, Savea, Perenara, and Barrett has been very good, on the other hand, the form of the Blues and Crusaders ABs has been a bit below par.

Mind you, when has Super Rugby form ever been indicative of things to come later in the year?

Moreover, some NZ rugby fans would be happy that the ABs aren't hitting form now, and are saving it for October this year.

Even so, the fact is that even without the ABs being in top gear - and indeed available for selection at times, the New Zealand Super Rugby franchises are still very much at the top of the class in Super Rugby this season.

The Hurricanes and Chiefs are well ahead of the third placed Brumbies, and it is only because the Chiefs are not leading their conference that they would be considered off the podium. The Highlanders are also not far behind and even the currently lowly Crusaders would be backed to make it into the playoffs - although winning the NZ conference is probably out of the question now.

In a nutshell -

1. The hooker position remains an area of concern although it would somewhat be alleviated by Dane Coles' return from injury. James Parsons has done alright for the Blues and Keven Mealamu is Keven Mealamu but this would be considered a weak area if Keven and Dane go down injured. Liam Coltman has done ok for the Highlanders but he would be the biggest ever bolter since Brendon Leonard if he was picked for the ABs this year.

2. Sam Cane v Richie McCaw is the new Marty Holah v Richie McCaw. At this stage, Cane appears to have the edge in form over McCaw although the ABs captain will surely be first choice starter when the ABs kick off their campaign at Wembley Stadium against Argentina.

3. The halfback contest is absolutely hot. Aaron Smith should have it over TJ Perenara but only just - the Titahi Bay halfback has been electric for the Canes while Smith started slowly this season and has seen himself replaced by the equally mobile Fumiaki Tanaka - not a bad thing in the eyes of the ABs given Smith is undoubtedly the first choice halfback.

4. First five is another area of interest - Cruden's cruel injury shouldn't have too much effect with Dan Carter, Beauden Barrett and Colin Slade still available - surely 2007 and 2011 won't repeat themselves when our first five stocks were tested? Even so, Lima Sopoaga and overseas-bound Tom Taylor could yet feature in the equation.

5. Ben Smith probably has got the fullback position nailed - his form has continued to soar in Super Rugby and he is one of those players who seems ridiculously consistently good and he will profit from Israel Dagg's absence.