There was a sense, the more he talked, that Aaron Mauger knows this could be it.

It could be his last start for the All Blacks - possibly even his last appearance - when they play Romania in Toulouse tonight.

It's not really an auspicious setting to bring the curtain down on a career that spans 44 tests and six years.

A more fitting farewell before he heads to Leicester would be in the play-offs, but Mauger, like most of those who run out tonight, is outside the top XV.

For the past two years he has had a tight tussle with Luke McAlister for the No12 jersey, but McAlister, 24, seems to have his nose in front at the World Cup.

He started against Scotland and Italy in what was regarded as the top side and his placement on the bench tomorrow suggests he is being kept in reserve for next week's quarter final in Cardiff.

Mauger, 26, who has come off the bench in only five of his 44 tests, seems hamstrung by being paired with Isaia Toeava, who is rated behind Conrad Smith at centre.

A Mauger and Smith midfield is too light, especially on defence, so Mauger's best hope might be if Mils Muliaina is shifted to centre, or McAlister is injured.

He concedes that this is probably his last chance to push his way back into the starting XV.

The rotation is expected to stop once the All Blacks fly into Wales.

"It's been hinted at in the past that it's likely to be the scenario that they will go with the strongest team for three weeks in a row," Mauger conceded. "It's what it's looking like.

"This is the last opportunity for some guys to stake a claim for those positions."

Mauger is not the only player pushing to make the play-off team.

Wings Joe Rokocoko and Sitiveni Sivivatu are probably competing against each other to join Doug Howlett in the top side.

Toeava is also a contender - though perhaps only an outside one - at centre, while Keven Mealamu can show he is a more dynamic option at hooker to Anton Oliver.

Keith Robinson is also a long shot to start at lock if he can marry a tidy lineout display with his typically raw-boned play.

There is also the general challenge for the All Blacks to be more accurate in their play after the error-ridden win against Scotland last Monday.

"There's a big emphasis on trying to retain the ball, build pressure and go through phases," Mauger said.

"It's going to be pretty important in the next few weeks."

Coach Graham Henry was insistent when he named the team to play Romania that the door remained open for selection for the play-offs.

But he conceded the selectors had probably each formed their ideal team for the quarterfinal.

"We've got pencilled in a team in our own minds. We haven't discussed it as four selectors but I'm sure we have all got ideas about that.

"To be frank, for big test matches, and this (the quarterfinal) is a big test match, we've been pretty consistent in selection over a long time."

That top side has only three areas of contention - hooker, wing and the midfield.

Since Tana Umaga retired at the end of 2005, Mauger and McAlister have both started at second five-eighth 11 times, though twice when Mauger was at 12, McAlister was outside him at 13.

Both are heading overseas after the World Cup, McAlister to Sale, so neither is now a long-term option.

Mauger was philosophical about what lay ahead, admitting his fate lay in his own hands.

"It depends on how well I play. If I got a start (in the play-offs) I would be pretty happy. You always prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Just to be in the 22 would be great.

"The main goal is to start games and play the whole game but with such a good team and so much depth in each position it's pretty hard these days. Ideally I'd love to play the World Cup final in the No12 jersey but we'll just have to wait and see."

Fairfax Media