The All Blacks' selection policy just got a lot less sentimental

I have to say I’m relieved and optimistic.

The first name I looked for, in the All Blacks’ 23 to play South Africa at Ellis Park, was Beauden Barrett.

Seniority and sentiment became part and parcel of the New Zealand team under previous coaching regimes. Never mind that blokes were plainly not up to it anymore, their status seemed to guarantee them selection.

So, there’s no Beauden Barrett and no Rieko Ioane in the 23 either. Both are hugely encouraging signs that, while there’s a cast of thousands on this tour, Test caps will still have to be earned.

To my eye, the best rugby the All Blacks have played on this trip has been when neither man has been on the park.

With that out of the way, it’s about what we can look forward to in Johannesburg.

The tour’s been a fizzer so far. Ordinary opposition, limited interest from local fans and a preoccupation from the All Blacks on going around the other team.

This Springbok side for Sunday (NZT) looks sensational, I’m sure the crowds will flock and then it’s a matter of New Zealand playing some Test rugby after a week or two of regurgitating the frivolous footy that suffices at Super level.

When you give a tour the moniker that this one has, you kind of have to live up to that billing. Let’s hope the Test matches do.

It’s a good-looking All Blacks starting XV, albeit with a bit of uncertainty over how a few of them might go. Hopefully Damian McKenzie is right, and then there’s the trio of blokes who are sight unseen so far.

I don’t agree with Ardie Savea’s late start to the tour, while Will Jordan and Cam Roigard have been getting fit enough to play. On past deeds, the three of them are arguably New Zealand’s best players, but it’s hard to describe their preparation as ideal.

That worries me a little because of the bench.

I like Kyle Preston and am not surprised he’s nudged out Cortez Ratima, but he’ll be walking into a cauldron he’s never encountered if Roigard’s injured calf goes. Leroy Carter is energetic and enthusiastic, but I can’t say I trust him not to make a monumental error or two.

And then there’s the other back reserve, Anton Lienert-Brown. I’m not sure how much he’s still got to offer at Test level, and I guess we might find that out.

This is one of those scenarios where two things can be true at the same time.

It’s right that Ioane and Beauden Barrett aren’t in the 23. It’s just that those in there ahead of them maybe aren’t that flash either.

That’s why I’ve called this tour a fact-finding mission.

We need to find things out about people and, in the unfortunate absence of Billy Proctor, I might’ve seen if Timoci Tavatavanawai could cover midfield.

Patrick Tuipulotu’s unlucky not to feature at all, but then lock is an area of strength in this team. We’ll see if the same can be said of prop, when Fletcher Newell and George Bower are asked to enter the fray.

Then there’s the lineout throwing of reserve hooker Asafo Aumua.

Look, it should be a good game. If the All Blacks start well and can rattle on a few points, maybe it won’t matter that the bench players lack the quality of some of the starters.

It’s just that we know South Africa does have that luxury of depth.

But that’s why this tour is so valuable. These players need to be exposed to elite opposition and coach Dave Rennie needs to find out who can mix it and who can’t.

I’m sure there’ll be plenty to talk about afterwards.