With the All Blacks coaching staff expected to name an expanded All Blacks squad for their upcoming end of year tour, expect to see some new faces.

The All Blacks will play six games on the tour, including the Test in Hong Kong against the Wallabies and a midweek game against Munster, which will be a good opportunity to give some of the new guys a chance to get some All Blacks experience.

The other four games are against Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England.

There are a few guys who have been knocking on the All Black's door for a while now, and this tour would be the ideal time to get them into the squad - and next year, they'll have some level of experience with the pressure that goes with being an All Black.

One player in particular who must be close to making the squad is Corey Jane, who has been in great form for the past couple of seasons. This year he's taken his game up a level, and with Leon MacDonald unlikely to go on tour, Jane would make an excellent backup to Muliaina.

Another possible cover for MacDonald is Paul Williams, who was named in the training squad earlier this year. Like Jane, Williams has been steadily improving since making his return to rugby last year.

Both are excellent attackers capable of breaking the opposition line, and are as equally reliable under the high ball.

Williams may have the edge over Jane, though, as Graham Henry has already shown interest in him by selecting him for the training squad earlier this year - but the way Jane has been playing for Wellington in this year's Air New Zealand Cup, we wouldn't be surprised to see him get the nod.

Another Wellingtonian making his mark is Thomas Waldrom who, like Jane and Williams, has been knocking at the door for the last few years. Waldrom is a lethal player on attack, and has shown that he can make a huge impact on a game coming off the bench.

We certainly think he's a better option than Sione Luaki, who isn't as versatile as Waldrom. Waldrom is a lot more agile, and certainly a lot safer with carrying the ball.

Another loose forward making his mark in the Air New Zealand Cup is Liam Meesam. His recent efforts against Otago were outstanding, and would make an excellent back-up for the All Blacks. We've been saying Meesam should be in the All Blacks for a while now, and the end of year tour is an excellent time to bring him into the squad - especially as we don't think Luaki should be selected.

Another position up for grabs is prop, where Greg Somerville's departure (due to retirement from the All Blacks) has opened up a spot in the squad. His place will most likely be taken by John Schwalger - he's played for the All Blacks before, and so is familiar with the pressures of Test rugby.

But if your looking for a prop, you needn't look past Jaime McKintosh, who has continued to prove to us that he's ready for the step up. He is a natural leader, captaining Southland in the Air New Zealand Cup, and it wouldn't hurt to replace Somerville with someone who has natural leadership abilities.

The other interesting position up for grabs is the third hooker spot behind Andrew Hore and Kevin Mealamu. Hika Elliot was brought into the squad earlier in the year when Hore was in doubt with injury, but with Corey Flynn back from injury he may get the recall he's been fighting for over the last few seasons. This tour would be a great time to get him back into the All Black mix.

It looks as though the All Black selectors will be taking a 35 man squad, which means a few extra positions are available for the odd bolter - which we think there will be a few of.

Here's the 35 players we'd be taking (*new players in italics):

Hookers: Andrew Hore, Kevin Mealamu, Corey Flynn
Props: Tony Woodcock, Neemia Tialata, John Afoa, Jaime McKintosh, John Schwalger

Locks: Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Anthony Boric, Jeremy Thrush
Loose Forwards: Richie McCaw, Rodney So'oialo, Jerome Kaino, Adam Thomson, Thomas Waldrom, Liam Meesam
Halfbacks: Piri Weepu, Jimmy Cowan, Andy Ellis, Alby Matthewson

First-Fives: Dan Carter, Stephen Donald
Centers: Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Richard Kahui, Isaia Toeava
Wings: Sitivini Sivivatu, Hosea Gear, Rudi Wulf, Joe Rokocoko (if healthy)
Fullbacks: Mils Muliaina, Corey Jane, Paul Williams

Players missing: Kevin O'Neill (injured), Greg Somerville (retired from AB's), Sione Luaki (form), Brendon Leonard (injured), Anthony Tuitavake (injured, but would select him if he's healthy), Leon MacDonald (injured).

Let us know who you'd like to see go on the end of year tour - head to the forum.