The more things change, the more they remain the same, or 'plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose', as French write Jean-Baptiste Karr once said, and it is the case with the North v South interisland game to be played at SKY Stadium in Wellington on Saturday.
For generations of New Zealand rugby players, the interisland game was their chance to stake their claim for All Blacks status whether in a stand-alone game or as part of a series of All Blacks trials.
That system of selection became out-dated in the 1990s but changed circumstances have seen the return of the interisland concept at least and the reasons for playing it remain the same as they ever were for players.
Performances across the board lend intrigue to the sides named and there is no shortage of interest in various positions.
Key match-ups:
Tupou Vaa'i v Mitchell Dunshea
Sam Whitelock and Patrick Tuipulotu are front runners to lock the All Blacks' scrum in the absence of Brodie Retallick during his sabbatical. The contest between Dunshea and Vaa'i has an emphasis because of the lack of locking depth. Dunshea has been within the Crusaders' set-up long enough to have learned plenty from the likes of Whitelock and Luke Romano while also contesting for a place with Quinten Strange. But Vaa'i has been one of the success stories of the 2020 season in making his mark with the Chiefs and performing at a consistently high level. The prize they are fighting for is a potential back-up role in the Test squad.
Joe Moody v Ofa Tuungafasi
Two old protagonists here, both of them All Blacks and both having made significant career advances in the last few years. Moody has been a cornerstone of the Crusaders pack and has made every post a winner since stamping his mark when given a belated opportunity in the 2015 Rugby World Cup campaign. It has been a different road for the Blues tighthead who did his Test apprenticeship behind Owen Franks while also coping in an under-performing Blues pack. But it is no coincidence that as Tuungafasi's confidence has grown that the Blues side has also lifted its performance level. Both players are handy around the paddock with the Aucklander especially forceful in defence.
Ardie Savea v Tom Christie
Able to claim a place on the open side of the scrum in the absence of Sam Cane, Savea can be expected to enjoy the freedom that offers his game, but it is not markedly different from the No 8 role he sealed so well for the Hurricanes in Super Rugby Aotearoa. He is the complete loose forward, able to handle each of the starting positions. Christie is the challenger. Borne of the Canterbury and Crusaders system, he has seamlessly slipped into his role in the wake of Matt Todd's departure. His impact has not only been on all sides in Super Rugby but on the statistics sheet where he is one of the best-performing loosies in the competition. Theirs has the potential to be an epic scrap for dominance.
Beauden Barrett v Richie Mo'ounga
Any list of match-ups would have to include this pair. Barrett, the experienced operator who was forced to play at fullback to fit in with other plans for the All Blacks. And who had to wait his chance to perform in that position for his new side, the Blues. Mo'unga, the preferred option in the latter stages of the Rugby World Cup, who played such an important role in the Crusaders' success in Super Rugby Aotearoa. As with every first five-eighth so much will depend on the quality of ball presented to be able to make the greatest impact. Both will make any All Black squad, fitness permitting, but front-running status will be boosted by performance in this outing. Again, it is another match-off to savour.
Brayden Ennor v Rieko Ioane
Both players have plenty to play for in this outing. Ioane, a little off the pace on the wing missed the chance to play in key games at last year's Rugby World Cup but came back strong for the Blues having made his desire known to play at centre. He proved dangerous in the position and contributed heavily to the achievements of the Blues backline during the Super Rugby seasons. Ennor had to spend more time than he might have liked on the wing in the Crusaders' set-up to accommodate Ryan Crotty's position in the mid-field. But with his departure, Ennor had the chance to show why he had been such a commanding influence at centre in lower levels of the game and he too performed with outstanding credit in the Crusaders' Super seasons. His combination with Jack Goodhue was one of the strong points in the Crusaders' success.