In Sam Cane's absence, Blues openside Dalton Papalii has established his presence as the All Blacks' preferred openside flanker this season. Papalii's physicality on defence, ball carrying ability and strong work over the ball form a compelling package for a 23-year-old prospect.
Papalii suffered a minor hamstring injury in the first win over the Pumas, and must now prove his fitness to be considered to play the Boks in Townsville on Saturday. Hamstrings can be problematic, particularly for someone charged with maintaining a strong base and gaining breakdown turnovers.
Foster has been keen this season to make calls on player availability early in the week in order to give those who will take the field as much time as possible to prepare. Time is, therefore, against Papallii.
The same may be true for Anton Lienert-Brown, who hasn't featured since the Bledisloe victory in Perth after injuring his hamstring in training one day before the first test against the Pumas.