3 All Black Bolters For End of Year Tour

It's only a few weeks before the All Blacks embark on their end of year tour and with the ITM Cup in full swing at the moment, now is a good time to start looking at potential bolters to consider particularly with the game against Japan in mind.

With the likes of Hore retiring and Carter and Nonu uncertain for next year, now is a good time to build depth in those areas.

Here are my 3 bolters -

1. Liam Coltman, Otago/Highlanders - Coltman has gone from strength to strength this season and has featured in the All Blacks extended training sessions. With Andrew Hore set to retire after the Rugby Championship, Coltman is a good chance of being selected as the third choice hooker behind Dane Coles and Keven Mealamu.

2. Hayden Parker, Otago/Highlanders - Another good Southern man who has shown glimpses of potential this season. Given Tom Taylor's ability to play second five and the presence of Carter, Cruden and Barrett in first five, Taylor's hopes of getting more All Blacks caps probably lie in the number 12 jersey meaning there is a chance for Hayden Parker to come in should there be injuries to the three aforementioned players - and after the experience earlier this season when all three got injured at the same time, there's no such thing as having too many players competing for one position.

3. Frank Halai, Counties Manukau/Chiefs - Halai has brought his strong Super Rugby form into the Counties jersey and was one of the Steelers' stars in their Ranfurly Shield success over Hawkes Bay. The All Blacks could consider taking on another out-and-out winger with Julian Savea the only specialist winger in the side - Charles Piutau and Ben Smith are really utility backs. Savea's form this season has been okay to say the least and one wonders if Halai's presence could bring the best out of Savea again.