The Herald have an article on this today but it is paywalled so I have no idea who they consider the players to be. Here are my 5 including why I consider them to be so important to the team.
- Richie Mo’unga. Leads the team around the field, very good with ball in hand and has become an excellent cover defender. Easily the best goal kicker in the squad.
- Aaron Smith. If Smith goes down with a serious injury then half back back up in the squad looks shaky although Roigard has potential. Hopefully Brad Weber can get there quickly.
- Sam Whitelock. Leads the team on the field despite not being Captain. Controls the lineouts and a master at stealing opposition ball at lineouts and in general play..
- Ethan de Groot. Mainstay at loose head and has really developed all round play in last year. With Joe Moody left at home we need de Groot fit.
- Will Jordan. The man with the X factor in the outside backs. There is no back up for him and just a shame he is not in his best position at fullback. A toss up with Scott Barrett for this spot.
There you are.
List your 5 in the comments.
No Minister 
Sam Cane. Shannon Frizzell. Backs don’t matter they’re a dime a dozen.
Reminds me of an old joke: What do you call people that hang around rugby players?
Backs
We would be better off with Sam Cane injured. Papalii better captain and player. Barrett is a fine replacement for Mo’unga but we are vastly better with both of them and can afford to lose neither. Christie good substitute for Smith with a faster pass.
Cannot agree re Christie W&P. He is the slowest of the half backs around and in my view very lucky to be there ahead of Weber.
Mo’unga needs the ball in his hands from kick off – when BB is on the field he inserts himself at 10 instead of fullback early on and I reckon disrupts Mo’ungas game.
JJO every team needs a good halfback and I agree with W&P that Papalii is a better option than Cane although I would have Whitelock as Captain. Frizzell is not available for this game so does not apply – don’t think he will be fit for the French game either.
I guess we are headed to 3rd or 4th so player selection is probably a moot point. No shame in that given SA and perhaps France will fill the top spots.
But I guess we could be foxing.
Or we have just learnt the lesson again, world cup rugby is at a different level