If not a first-five, then who will replace McKenzie in the All Blacks?

Bridge has proven to be a handful for opposition defences in Super Rugby recent years thanks to his speed and elusive ball-running, while Naholo is a well-known power runner and has a deft finishing ability that has made him the Highlanders' all-time leading try-scorer.

That doesn't necessarily mean that either player is guaranteed a spot in the national set-up, though.

While he has impressed for the Crusaders this year and has test match experienced via last year's clash against Japan, Bridge has been suffering from a knee/hamstring injury for about a month now, which could be of some concern for the All Blacks selectors, and could put him under pressure to win a starting spot back from teammates who have shone in his absence.

Those teammates will also be piling the pressure on Naholo, who had been badly out of form for the Highlanders and was yet to score this year before sustaining an MCL injury that has also seen him sidelined for a month.

The selectors know the ball-carrying power that the 27-year-old possesses, as well as the to-end speed he has displayed over the course of his professional career, but if his decline in form continues as the World Cup nears, questions will need to be asked if his imminent selection can be validated.

Outside of those two, young Crusaders trio Braydon Ennor, Will Jordan and Sevu Reece have all been in sparkling form, as has Worcester-bound Blues fullback Melani Nanai, while others such as Nehe Milner-Skudder, Chase Tiatia and Matt Duffie can only be considered outside chances at this stage.

One player who has stood out thanks to not only his form but also his positional flexibility is Crusaders fullback David Havili.

A three-test All Black, Havili hasn't featured in the national side since 2017, but has been stupendous for the back-to-back reigning Super Rugby champions as they pursue a second-ever hat-trick of titles.

The 24-year-old has been difficult to bring down for opposition defenders, as shown in his season statistics, which shows he places in the competition's top 10 for line breaks and is second for tackle busts.

With a low error rate and a booming punt which has been used on occasion for the Crusaders, Havili presents a case for being not only a safe and secure option with test match experience, but also an option that is in form and has proven his ability to successfully take on defenders when required.

What's more is that he doesn't just cover the outside back roles of fullback and wing, but he is also a proven operator in the midfield during his time in the Mitre 10 Cup with Tasman, a side of which he has also goal kicked for.

Havili's ability to play at both second-five and centre, as well as wing and fullback, could be the point of difference between him and the rest of the competition should selections in the outside backs become tight, as they are expected to be.

Fox indicated towards the idea of having someone play out of position at first-five for pool matches against Canada and Namibia in order to prevent Barrett and Mo'unga from burning out or picking up needless knocks and bruises, and with Havili's wide skill set and positional versatility, he could be the man to fill that role.

However, Jordie Barrett possesses similar attributes, and with his position in the squad firmly entrenched as a result of McKenzie's injury, the All Blacks selectors may not want more than one utility option in place of a specialist outside back.

So, as it stands, Bridge and Naholo lead the race for the two final positions in the outside backs department.

But, through a raft of contenders at Super Rugby level, headlined by Havili, the race for a World Cup spot is still wide open, and the winners still have a long way to go yet before anything is decided.

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