The vast majority of Scott Robertson's maiden All Blacks squad will be locked in but this weekend's sold-out Super Rugby Pacific final between the Blues and Chiefs at Eden Park offers one last dance, one last trial, to alter selection preferences.
Robertson names his first national squad 48 hours after the finale -- on Monday evening in Christchurch -- for two home Tests against England and the offshore money-spinner with Fiji in San Diego.
Late season injuries have already forced changes with Hurricanes prop Xavier Numia and Chiefs hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho among the recent deflections to expose depth at lock and open the door for fringe contenders elsewhere. Blues skipper Patrick Tuipulotu has made a surprise comeback, a la Sam Whitelock last year.
Neither team needs any Al Pacino-esque pre-match speech this weekend.
Vern Cotter's Blues are seeking to bully their way through their 21-year title drought - and push past the pain of losing their home final to the Crusaders two years ago. Clayton McMillan's Chiefs know that feeling all too well after suffering the same fate, against the same opposition, in Hamilton last year.
Dave Rennie transformed the Chiefs overnight to deliver their two titles in 2012-13, back when Aaron Cruden and Sonny Bill Williams were in the pomp. They would love nothing more than to trek up State Highway One, over the Bombay Hills, to play the role of gatecrashing neighbour and claim their first silverware in over a decade. From an individual standpoint, the stakes are high.
While the majority of Robertson's squad is pencilled in contestable spots remain.
Finals carry more selection weight than any other occasion this season. The pressure, expectation, hype, scrutiny amplifies to come closest to replicating the Test match arena.
Perform on this stage when your team needs you most, and those with points to prove underline their claims.
As far as individual match ups are concerned it doesn't get any more captivating than the respective No 8s.
Grab the popcorn and settle in for this.
Hoskins Sotutu started this year with a chip on his shoulder after falling well down the loose forward ranks. Sotutu didn't just miss World Cup selection - he was axed from the second-tier All Blacks XV squad too.
It was a clear directive from forwards coach Jason Ryan, the only remaining member of last year's All Blacks coaching staff.
Sotutu needed to refine his game, bring more direct punch with ball in hand, to lower his body position, get his hands dirty and add sting to his defensive work.
Cotter's arrival at the Blues was timely indeed.
With 12 tries this season Sotutu is tied with Crusaders wing Sevu Reece. That figure also has him joint leader for most tries in a season for the Blues.
The All Blacks, though, won't be overly concerned with Sotutu's try tally or frequent assists. They're bonus assets, sure. For the more crunchy, meaty, business of Test rugby they will be heartened by Sotutu's work-rate and his consistent appetite for hard-earned metres through heavy traffic. This is where Cotter's abrasive forwards-led approach has altered perceptions of Sotutu's value.
To this point Sotutu has probably done enough to win an All Blacks recall, even in the highly congested loose forward area. Overlooking him would be a harsh call.
In recent weeks, though, none more so than in the Chiefs semifinal upset of the Hurricanes in Wellington, another powerhouse No. 8 fully announced his arrival as an All Black in waiting.
Wallace Sititi, the son of former Samoan captain Semo who played at the 1999, 2003 and 2007 World Cups, thrust his name firmly in the All Blacks frame with one of the great individual performances in Super Rugby history.
Born in Samoa, raised in Scotland, Japan and New Zealand, named after William Wallace, the lead character in the movie Braveheart, Sititi overshadowed Hurricanes No 8 Brayden Iose, one of this year's standouts, to signpost his compelling future.
Robertson can't pick them all. He might, depending on the balance of his 18 forwards, only have room for five loose forwards in the All Blacks 32-man squad.
It's unlikely Robertson will shift Ardie Savea, reigning World Rugby player of the year, from the back of the scrum which likely leaves room for one other No 8. Sotutu has the inside running for that role but another dynamic, head turning performance from the athletically gifted Sititi could yet shift the pecking order.
Others with everything to play for include Blues lock Sam Darry, playmaker Stephen Perofeta and hooker Ricky Riccitelli. All sit on the fringe of All Blacks selection. Darry and Riccitelli, the latter following an injury to Taukei'aho, could cement their selections with dominant displays. Perofeta's status depends on whether the All Blacks find room for three playmakers, with Damian McKenzie and Beauden Barrett certain inclusions.
Chiefs fullback Shaun Stevenson, a late withdrawal from their semifinal with a niggly hamstring injury that's limited his involvement this season, silky finisher Emoni Narawa and former Test second-five Quinn Tupaea also have one last opportunity to press their claims.
On Saturday night, before a rare packed house at the Garden of Eden, Super Rugby's collective prize takes priority for all involved.
Soon after, though, attention will swiftly turn to Robertson's All Blacks. Only then will we know just how telling this final was influencing contestable selections.