Beppu (Japan) (AFP)

For whom numbers 12 and 13? The All Blacks intend to take advantage of their next three games against minor nations, starting with Canada on Wednesday, to find the right pair of centers, before going on to conquer a third consecutive title.

Two people miss you ... In the wake of the second consecutive title won in 2015, the elegant Conrad Smith (94 capes between 2004 and 2015) and the stunning Ma'a Nonu (103 caps between 2003 and 2015) put an end to their international career, to go to cash their talent in France, respectively in Pau and Toulon.

Associated 62 times under the famous black jersey, Smith and Nonu played a part of the game all black, learned alloy of fluidity and fierce power.

Since then, coaching All Blacks seems to grope on associations in the middle of the three-quarter line. Ryan Crotty, the first-most-used center, has been associated with Anton Lienert-Brown 9 times, 12 times with Sonny Bill Williams, and twice with Jack Goodhue. Williams - Lienert-Brown (5 times) and Lienert-Brown - Goodhue (1) pairs were also tested.

On Wednesday, the Williams - Goodhue duo, already in line three times, will start the game against the Canadiens, with Ryan Crotty on the bench.

The four players have been called together since the start of the World Cup. And if he claims to know his favorite pair, rear-end coach Ian Foster says nothing. To his players, as of course outside.

- Weekly appointment with friends -

In this context of uncertainty, the four players decided to meet once a week to ... talk about something other than rugby.

"We're talking about things outside of rugby more than what's happening on the field," says Sonny Bill Williams, who sees himself as "quieter" thanks to the experience gained in two successful campaigns (2011 and 2015) .

And if the conversation overflows on the upcoming selection? "We're pretty honest" with each other, concedes Williams, 34, the veteran of the quartet.

"We all want to start the matches," he concedes, "but we're honest enough to say that anyone starts, the other guys are there to cheer and help them in the preparation."

On the other hand, in training, the competition is in full swing. "In physical preparation, everyone tries to be the best, but it helps to raise the bar," says Jack Goodhue, 24, who joined the All Blacks in 2018 with his Crusaders performance alongside Crotty.

"At training, we do not make any gift but it just raises the level, make critical feedback to others and put pressure on them," he says. "But once out of the field, we're really good friends."

Obviously, assistant coach Ian Foster enjoys this rivalry against a backdrop of camaraderie. Like a tamer with his wild beasts ...

"There are always two disappointed (those who do not play), and among them a very disappointed (not even substitute) and a little disappointed (substitute)". This little game could continue until a (very) possible final, November 2 in Yokohama.

© 2019 AFP