The conditions were that the squad would be broken into five props, three hookers, five locks, seven loose forwards, three halfbacks, two first fives, four midfielder, four wings and two fullbacks.

There seemed to be a consensus in most areas although Kayes, who is the Dominion-Posts senior rugby writer, and Johnstone, who is co-editor of RugbyHeaven, begged to differ slightly at prop, lock, wing and halfback.

The tour takes in tests against Australia in Hong Kong and the a grand slam attempt against Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England with a midweek clash against Heineken Cup champions Munster thrown into it as well.

Here's how their two squads panned out. DUNCAN JOHNSTONE'S touring squad

PROPS Contenders: Tony Woodcock, Neemia Tialata, John Afoa, John Schwalger, Jamie Mackintosh, Ben Franks, Ben May, Wyatt Crockett, Clint Newland.

Unavailable: Greg Somerville, Campbell Johnstone (both heading overseas)

Assessment: Woodcock's the mainstay as the new wave continues and joining that wave should be Southland's man-mountain Mackintosh although Franks' versatility is a big factor.

My picks: Tony Woodcock, Neemia Tialata, John Afoa, John Schwalger, Jamie Mackintosh

HOOKERS Contenders: Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu, Corey Flynn, Hikawera Elliot.

Assessment: Hard to see them going back to Flynn after four years on the outer. Elliot is on the rise to back up the established duo.

My picks: Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu, Hikawera Elliot.

LOCKS Contenders: Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Anthony Boric, Tom Donnelly, Ross Filipo, Jason Eaton, Jeremy Thrush, Michael Paterson.

Unavailable: Kevin O'Neill (injured)

Assessment: Williams and Thorn are miles ahead. Fit-again Filipo has been the best in the Air NZ Cup and Eaton is back in business. It's tough to leave Donnelly out in a crucial area for up north.

My picks: Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Anthony Boric, Ross Filipo, Jason Eaton.

LOOSIES Contenders: Richie McCaw, Rodney So'oialo, Adam Thomson, Jerome Kaino, Sione Lauaki, Scott Waldrom, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Kieran Read, Daniel Braid.

Unavailable: Chris Masoe, Mose Tuiali'i, Craig Newby (all heading overseas); Serge Lilo (injured)

Assessment: Need for a specialist backup 7 means Latimer gets a go. Messam is more consistent than Waikato team mate Lauaki who has again failed to take his chances. Developmental nature allows room for workhorse Read too.

My picks: Richie McCaw, Rodney So'oialo, Adam Thomson, Jerome Kaino, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Kieran Reid.

HALFBACKS Contenders: Jimmy Cowan, Piri Weepu, Andy Ellis, Taniela Moa, Alby Mathewson

Unavailable: Brendon Leonard (injured)

Assessment: Cowan and Weepu have taken control as a double act. Mathewson was good enough to hold the Lions' No 9 ahead of Weepu at times but Ellis gets my nod as backup.

My picks: Jimmy Cowan, Piri Weepu, Andy Ellis.

FIRST-FIVES Contenders: Dan Carter, Stephen Donald, Stephen Brett.

Assessment: Dan's the man and Donald proved he's up to it in Brisbane. Weepu can slot in for emergencies.

My picks: Dan Carter, Stephen Donald

MIDFIELD Contenders: Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Richard Kahui, Tamati Ellison, Isaia Toeava, Benson Stanley, Tim Bateman, Casey Laulala.

Assessment: Nonu and Smith are a proven combination now. I'd like to see Kahui tried at second-five. The much-maligned Toeava squeezes in here as the ultimate utility.

My picks: Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Richard Kahui, Isaia Toeava.

WINGS Contenders: Sitiveni Sivivatu, Joe Rokocoko, Rudi Wulf, Lelia Masaga, Hosea Gear, Zac Guildford, James Paterson, Sean Maitland, Anthony Tuitavake.

Unavailable: Scott Hamilton (heading overseas), Fetu Vainikolo (still ineligible)

Assessment: Tons of young talent to choose from with Masaga, Guildford and Gear better finishers than Wulf. Rokocoko's experience gives him an edge in a problem position. Versatility could be a key and that's why Kahui, Tuitavake, Williams, Toeava and Jane will be considered in this mix too.

My picks: Sitiveni Sivivatu, Joe Rokocoko, Anthony Tuitavake, Hosea Gear.

FULLBACKS Contenders: Mils Muliaina, Paul Williams, Cory Jane.

Unavailable: Leon MacDonald (injured)

Assessment: It's merely a matter of a backup for Muliaina. Williams is rock solid but Jane has more x-factor.

My picks: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane. JIM KAYES' touring squad

PROPS Contenders: Tony Woodcock, Neemia Tialata, John Afoa, John Schwalger, Jamie Mackintosh, Ben Franks, Ben May, Wyatt Crockett, Clint Newland.

Unavailable: Greg Somerville, Campbell Johnstone (both heading overseas)

Assessment: The first three are easy to pick, but after that it's tricky because most of them are loosheads. Macintosh is massive and mobile, while Franks has been a standout for Tasman. Schwalger will probably get the nod but Criockett wouldn't be out of place as a bolter.

My picks: Tony Woodcock, Neemia Tialata, John Afoa, Jamie Mackintosh, Ben Franks.

HOOKERS Contenders: Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu, Corey Flynn, Hikawera Elliot.

Assessment: Flynn hasn't played enough rugby, and having been on the outer for four years is unlikely to come in from the cold. Elliot is a worthy choice with a good work rate and accurate lineout throwing.

My picks: Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu, Hikawera Elliot.

LOCKS Contenders: Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Anthony Boric, Tom Donnelly, Ross Filipo, Jason Eaton, Jeremy Thrush, Michael Paterson.

Unavailable: Kevin O'Neill (injured)

Assessment: It seesm a choice of three into two between Filipo, Thrush and Eaton. Thrush and Filipo are the form choices but Eaton's height could help him. Though in the era of lifting, that's not such an issue.

My picks: Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Anthony Boric, Ross Filipo, Jeremy Thrush.

LOOSIES Contenders: Richie McCaw, Rodney So'oialo, Adam Thomson, Jerome Kaino, Sione Lauaki, Scott Waldrom, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Kieran Read, Daniel Braid.

Unavailable: Chris Masoe, Mose Tuiali'i, Craig Newby (all heading overseas); Serge Lilo (injured)

Assessment: Lauaki has to be discarded. His work rate and consistency are not there. Read must be picked, while Messam is a sound choice with his versatility and could vie with Latimer, and possibly Thomson, as McCaw's understudy.

My picks: Richie McCaw, Rodney So'oialo, Adam Thomson, Jerome Kaino, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Kieran Read.

HALFBACKS Contenders: Jimmy Cowan, Piri Weepu, Andy Ellis, Taniela Moa, Alby Mathewson

Unavailable: Brendon Leonard (injured)

Assessment: Mathewson has bene the form No 9 of the Air NZ Cup - admittedly with little competition. He is fast, has a quick pass and keeps defenders honest - all the things Ellis doesn't do.

My picks: Jimmy Cowan, Piri Weepu, Alby Mathewson.

FIRST-FIVES Contenders: Dan Carter, Stephen Donald, Stephen Brett.

Assessment: It's Carter with daylight second - and in this case, daylight is Donald the draught horse.

My picks: Dan Carter, Stephen Donald

MIDFIELD Contenders: Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Richard Kahui, Tamati Ellison, Isaia Toeava, Benson Stanley, Tim Bateman, Casey Laulala.

Assessment: A remarkably easy area to pick given the angst that followed Tana Umaga's retirement. The real interest will be whether Kahui can dethrone Smith as the first choice.

My picks: Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Richard Kahui, Isaia Toeava.

WINGS Contenders: Sitiveni Sivivatu, Joe Rokocoko, Rudi Wulf, Lelia Masaga, Hosea Gear, Zac Guildford, James Paterson, Sean Maitland, Anthony Tuitavake.

Unavailable: Scott Hamilton (heading overseas), Fetu Vainikolo (still ineligible)

Assessment: Gear has been superb for Wellington but against who? When he can replicate his NPC form in the Super 14 he deserves to be picked for the All Blacks. Wulf and Tuitavake did little to inspire during the international season but were hardly given a decent chance. They should be persevered with.

My picks: Sitiveni Sivivatu, Joe Rokocoko, Anthony Tuitavake, Rudi Wulf.

FULLBACKS Contenders: Mils Muliaina, Paul Williams, Cory Jane.

Unavailable: Leon MacDonald (injured)

Assessment: Too easy to pick. Mils is Tarzan and Jane his sidekick.

My picks: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane.