The contenders to win an All Blacks call-up as Ian Foster announces planned super-sized Rugby Championship squad

It's been less than a fortnight since Ian Foster named his first All Blacks squad, but New Zealand's head coach is already planning on adding a further 10 to 11 players to his 35-man side for the Rugby Championship.

Quarantine restrictions upon arrival in Australia for the tournament would leave potential injury replacements in limbo if called upon throughout November and December, leading Foster to announce today that nearly a dozen players will travel with his original squad.

As a result, we have combed through a raft of players in line for a potential recall to an All Blacks squad that could feature as many as 46 men.

Liam Coltman (Otago)

Lineout inaccuracies have been the root of Liam Coltman’s demise from a World Cup hooker to back-up Highlanders rake in a matter of months. 

Still, the eight-test veteran has plenty of experience to offer, and would be a suitable fourth-string hooker to support Codie Taylor, Dance Coles and Asafo Aumua. 

Highlanders co-captain Ash Dixon was impressive enough to keep Coltman benched this year, but at 32-years-old, he doesn’t have sights set on grabbing his first test cap, although Blues front rower Kurt Eklund could be an outside chance of beating Coltman to the punch.

Angus Ta’avao (Auckland)

Highlighted by Foster as one of two players - alongside Coltman - as the unluckiest to have missed out on the initial 35-man side, Australia’s Rugby Championship hosting rights acts as a gift-wrapped opportunity for Angus Ta’avao to win a recall.

Dropped from the national squad after making just three appearances since returning from a six-month quad injury, it seems the 14-test prop has the experience and versatility to be a solid back-up option to the likes of Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Nepo Laulala and Joe Moody across the ditch.

Manaaki Selby-Rickit (Southland)

With Brodie Retallick (sabbatical) and Scott Barrett (toe injury) both unavailable for the remainder of the year, Foster was forced to name two uncapped locks to accompany Patrick Tuipulotu and Sam Whitelock.

By naming uncapped starlets Quinten Strange and Tupou Vaa’i, Foster sprung a pair of surprises as he went without standout injured pair Pari Pari Parkinson and Josh Dickson.

However, the Highlanders locking partners, whose individual qualities made them creditable contenders for maiden All Blacks call-ups, might be usurped in the race for an international debut by their franchise teammate Manaaki Selby-Rickit.

Starring off the bench for the South Island in this month’s North v South clash, Selby-Rickit showed he has the raw athleticism to flourish in the future, and it wouldn’t be unfathomable to see the Southlander join Strange and Vaa’i as long-term development projects.

Scott Scrafton (Auckland)

Selby-Rickit’s biggest threat to a shock All Blacks call-up would seemingly be Auckland veteran Scott Scrafton.

In a move that would be indicative of how thin New Zealand’s lock stocks are, the 27-year-old may head the pecking order behind Tuipulotu, Whitelock, Strange and Vaa’i through his comparative wealth of experience that he can flex over Selby-Rickit.

Scrafton’s six years of provincial rugby and five Super Rugby seasons might be what Foster wants at his disposal in Australia, and that could make the 2m second rower one of the unlikeliest All Blacks selections since Brett Cameron played Japan two years ago.

Lachlan Boshier (Taranaki)

Wallabies boss Dave Rennie has made no secret that his former Chiefs star Lachlan Boshier was denied All Blacks selection as he lost out to fellow opensides Sam Cane, Ardie Savea and Dalton Papalii.

His rich vein of form in Super Rugby this year could well be rewarded, though, with as many as two loose forwards thought to be added to the touring Rugby Championship squad.

If two further loose forwards are picked, one would assume one of those players would fill the role of a fetcher or pilferer, and given how well he’s played for the Chiefs, it would be harsh to rule Boshier out of an extended squad.