The All Blacks have pushed back their team naming for Saturday's Tri Nations and Bledisloe opener against the Wallabies by a day as they continue to ponder their options in the problem No.10 jersey.
But this time it appears that coach Graham Henry and his backline assistant Wayne Smith at least have a more positive scenario to ponder.
Both Luke McAlister, who has been battling back problems, and Stephen Donald, who has had a hamstring strain, trained at today's session at the Trusts Stadium in west Auckland, and it looks as though the coaches are taking the extra time to ponder their options.
McAlister had the greater percentage of the time in the pivot during the run, but Donald - who was originally not considered a prospect to be available for Saturday night's clash at Eden Park - also spent part of the session there and appeared to be running freely.
The All Blacks coaches were not available to speak to media after today's session, but it appears that they are taking the extra day - the team will now be named on Wednesday - to have a closer look at Donald to gauge whether he's up to a test of this magnitude.
Donald hasn't played since the second test against the French in Wellington, when he picked up the hamstring strain. McAlister started at No 10 against Italy in Christchurch, where he had a nightmare opening quarter before finally settling into the role, but has been bothered by a back complaint since then.
Halfback Brendon Leonard said it was heartening to see both of the team's five-eighth options running freely at the first hitout of the week.
"I'd say the coaches would be pretty pleased as well," said the Waikato No 9 who looks like he'll be watching Saturday night's match from the stands. "I think they're both coming on nicely and hopefully both will be available for selection on Saturday."
Leonard did not think the uncertainty over just who would start in the No 10 jersey against Matt Giteau would be unsettling for either contender.
"They were chopping and changing today, and both had a decent run. They've both been there before, so I think they'd be pretty confident that whoever steps into that jersey will be able to do the job."
You've got to figure that Donald, if he proves his fitness, will get the nod.
Henry has said he was relatively pleased with Donald's work in the two French tests, with both played in difficult conditions and behind a below-strength All Black pack still finding its feet.
McAlister, who is coming off a long spell out with injury, is still making the adjustments to being back in the southern hemisphere game and clearly found the test in Christchurch a challenge.
He has not played much of his recent rugby in the pivot and has admitted he feels more confident at second five-eighth.
Pitching him in to face the in-form Giteau in a Bledisloe opener might be a big ask, though clearly it's one the All Blacks coaches are comfortable making if Donald is judged not quite ready for a return.
The other main talking point out of the likely test alignment that trained today was the preference for Cory Jane on the right wing ahead of Joe Rokocoko.
Jane, a fullback for the Hurricanes in the Super 14, has made the most of his two starts on the wing against France. He was originally a late call-in for Rudi Wulf in Dunedin, and looked comfortable in both outings.
Rokocoko has struggled for form of late, though he did manage to break his try drought against the Italians when he snaffled a McAlister cross-kick for a confidence-boosting touchdown.
Jimmy Cowan also looks like he'll be given the start at halfback ahead of Leonard, which will come as no surprise to those who follow the thinking of these All Blacks coaches.
Cowan came in as a starter for the equivalent fixture last year against the Wallabies in Auckland, and performed admirably as the All Blacks bounced back from consecutive defeats to secure a big win. From then on he was first choice No 9 for the remainder of the year as the New Zealanders went unbeaten through the rest of their schedule.
Cowan also has a superior kicking game to Leonard, and it's thought that his ability to relieve pressure directly from the base could be valuable given the All Blacks' limited options with the boot at No 12.
The All Black pack will be a predictable selection, with skipper Richie McCaw and veteran No 8 Rodney So'oialo back to bolster the loose trio and a fit-again Neemia Tialata set to resume at tighthead prop.
The New Zealanders will train again tomorrow at Eden Park, with Henry now set to unveil his lineup to face the Wallabies early on Wednesday morning. It seems that the question they'll be asking themselves most between now and then is this one: Luke or Stephen?
Likely All Blacks XV: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Luke McAlister or Stephen Donald, 9 Jimmy Cowan; 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw (capt), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
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