Potential All Black Bolters for 2012

Ok, it's only March and we're only into week 2 of a very long Super rugby campaign but a few players have stood out this early in the season who you'd think if they could maintain their current form and continue to improve might very well be in the running for a black jersey even as early as the June internationals.

Beauden Barrett
The Hurricanes' latest pivot has been unbelievable in his first two games of Super rugby. If there is anywhere you'd want to impress the punters, it is the Republic and against one of the favourites, the Stormers, he won man of the match. A week later, he kicked the winning penalty for the Hurricanes in their game against the Lions after another impressive effort. The key is whether he can actually maintain his form at home especially against other Kiwi sides - but the signs are quite good for the Taranaki future star and he could be competing for Dan Carter's understudy spot with Aaron Cruden and Colin Slade later in the year.

Robbie Robinson 
Robinson's move to the Chiefs was to enable the Southland back to work with his former under-20 coach, Dave Rennie. So far, it has looked like the best decision Robbie could ever make. He starred against the Blues last night with two massive line breaks that led to tries. Robinson has gotten better at the back too and flourished in his new environment as starting fullback. With a new replacement for Mils Muliaiina needed, Robbie Robinson could be in line for a surprise call up to the All Blacks later in the season.

Tawera Kerr-Barlow
It's as though the Chiefs never lost their first choice halfback. Kerr-Barlow fitted in nicely when Leonard limped off the field and might even have kept the position for good for the rest of the season. Kerr-Barlow is actually quite lanky for a halfback but surprisingly quick around the fringes and hard to put down - a bit like Mike Phillips of Wales. With Weepu and Cowan on the wane, Kerr-Barlow can potentially force himself into the All Blacks if he continues to put on performances like he did against the Blues - he is very much like Will Genia in terms of pace, mobility and decision making and is also not a bad tackler.

Brodie Retallick
The tallest player in the New Zealand Super rugby franchises, Brodie, the younger brother of Highlanders lock, Callum, has already shone in his first Super rugby games for the Chiefs, forming an imposing lineout partnership with captain Craig Clarke. He and Clarke dominated the All Black duo of Ali Williams and Anthony Boric last night and with Brad Thorn away in Japan, there is a vacancy in the black locking stocks. Imagine Retallick and Whitelock as All Black locking partners.

Ben Tameifuna
Arizona Taumololo's cousin is an impressive specimen of a very big, strong, fit and athletic human being. At at least 130kg, Tameifuna is one of the heavier props in the competition. But scrummaging is not just about weight, it's also about technique and despite last night's game being the first for Tameifuna, the big prop was highly impressive, finally giving the Chiefs a strong platform up front to allow the backs room to play - and to do that against a Blues front row with All Black, Keven Mealamu and fairly good props, Faumuina and Mailau is not bad. He could take the spot vacated by John Afoa at the All Blacks.