The so-called land of opportunity is an appropriate place to start the season-ending tour for a handful of fringe World Cup All Blacks.
It seems absurd to include Dan Carter in the fringe category but the Test great is no certainty to be at the four-yearly showpiece in 2015 if injury keeps lopping his game time as it has for the last two seasons.
Coach Steve Hansen is expected to include Carter in Saturday’s Test against the United States in Chicago, but before Thursday’s team naming he must first be sure the 32-year-old still isn’t hampered by leg nerve pain that has reduced him to 40 minutes of rugby over the last three months.
Hansen still rates Carter the best of his exceptional first five-eighth crop but proven pair Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett could comfortably take the helm if there is any uncertainty.
Since hobbling off in his 100th Test, 12 months ago against England, a sabbatical and the fallout from a broken leg has restricted Carter to less than 450 minutes of first class rugby.
Hansen wants the veteran to play at least two Tests in November, keen to measure him in greater challenges that follow against England, Scotland and Wales.
The world No.18 ranked USA Eagles should be cannon fodder for the All Blacks but there is plenty at stake for Carter and several other tourists.
Hansen is expected to lean this week on players short on top level rugby.
Among them is midfield back Sonny Bill Williams, whose rapid return was always likely but whose path was neatly cleared by injury to established second five-eighth Ma’a Nonu.
Williams has had nothing like the gradual reintroduction to rugby union which was so useful when he last departed rugby league and a comparison of his form with that of rising powerhouse Malakai Fekitoa will be intriguing.
Others who can expect to play at Soldier Field include rookie halfbacks TJ Perenara and Augustine Pulu, back-up loose forwards Victor Vito and Sam Cane and raw tight five members such as Patrick Tuipulotu, Joe Moody and Nathan Harris.
A return to the captaincy beckons for Kieran Read, with regular skipper Richie McCaw among a clutch of first-choice players poised to rest up for England a week later.
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
Wing – Cory Jane
Infrequent appearances of late thanks to injury and the undeniable form of his competition. The 31-year-old still takes a high ball better than anyone but does he boast the ground attack of old?
Midfield – Sonny Bill Williams
Didn’t hit the same heights in his second NRL season this year. Are his freakish powers on the wane? Plenty should be revealed over the next month.
First five-eighth – Dan Carter
Immense ability and a proven match winner. Can he defy father time?
Loose forwards – Victor Vito
Boasts athleticism, class and – most importantly – relative youth in an ageing loose forward troop. Could be highly influential after the 2015 World Cup.
Prop – Wyatt Crockett
The Canterbury loosehead has thrust a sizeable foot in the door during Tony Woodcock’s lengthy absence. More of the same against some hefty UK packs will create a dilemma next year.
