Beauden Barrett to be axed? Dave Rennie tipped to make five brutal All Blacks calls

The All Blacks could hardly have wished for a better start to the Dave Rennie era. New Zealand opened the Nations Championship with a thrilling victory over France before following it up with dominant wins against Italy and Ireland. Three matches, three victories and a growing sense that Rennie is beginning to shape a new-look All Blacks side in his own image.

However, the biggest test of the new era is still to come. Winning in South Africa is a completely different challenge. The Springboks will test every aspect of New Zealand's game, from the scrum and maul to the aerial battle and the physicality of the breakdown, so there will be no room for passengers.

Rennie has already spoken about the importance of rewarding form over reputation, and that philosophy could lead to some difficult selection calls ahead of the South Africa tour. With several players putting their hands up during the opening round of the Nations Championship, here are five big-name All Blacks we believe should miss out on the touring squad.

This is perhaps the biggest selection call of the lot. Nobody is questioning Beauden Barrett's legacy. The 35-year-old is one of the greatest players in All Blacks history, a two-time World Rugby Player of the Year and a veteran of 144 Test matches.

However, this tour should be about selecting the players best equipped to beat the Springboks right now. Barrett missed the Nations Championship through injury, and during his absence New Zealand found a winning combination. Ruben Love was given the opportunity to start at fly-half, while Damian McKenzie operated at full-back. The result was three wins from three.

Love showed composure in the No.10 jersey and looked increasingly comfortable as the tournament progressed. McKenzie, meanwhile, provided his usual attacking threat from the back, before demonstrating his versatility by moving into the fly-half role when required. Bringing Barrett straight back into the equation could potentially disrupt combinations that are beginning to flourish.

There is still a huge role for Barrett in the future of New Zealand rugby, particularly given his experience and leadership. However, if Rennie is serious about building for the next World Cup cycle, he should back the players who have established themselves during his opening campaign, as Super Rugby champion Ruben Love has earned the chance to take the No.10 jersey to South Africa, having rolled his form on from the Hurricanes to the All Blacks.

Caleb Clarke remains one of the most destructive ball-carriers in New Zealand rugby. At his best, the Blues winger is capable of turning a half-chance into a 50-metre gain, using his size and power to break through defensive lines. However, the South Africa tour presents a very different challenge to the opening round of the Nations Championship.

The Springboks are experts at identifying weaknesses and applying pressure. They will challenge New Zealand's wingers in the air, force them to make difficult defensive decisions and test their ability to carry against a wall of green and gold jerseys. Josh Moorby has already shown that he is capable of handling that sort of pressure.

The Hurricanes winger made his Test debut during the Nations Championship and immediately looked comfortable at international level. His aerial ability stood out, while his defensive work and composure under pressure suggested he could be a valuable option against the Springboks.

Moorby may not offer the same destructive carrying threat as Clarke, but he arguably provides a more rounded skill set for a Test match where every aspect of a winger's game will be examined. Clarke is still a hugely dangerous player, but Moorby has done enough to earn the opportunity.

Anton Lienert-Brown has been an outstanding servant for the All Blacks. With 88 Test caps to his name, the Chiefs centre offers experience, defensive organisation and a deep understanding of international rugby. But Billy Proctor has made an extremely strong case for a place in the touring squad.

Proctor looked comfortable throughout the Nations Championship and showed little sign of being overawed by the step up to Test rugby. He defended with confidence, carried effectively and made smart decisions in possession. Most importantly, he looked like he belonged.

That is exactly what Rennie should be looking for ahead of a tour against the Springboks. South Africa will attempt to dominate the gain line, and New Zealand will need midfielders capable of making strong defensive decisions while also providing enough attacking threat to punish any gaps, and Proctor has shown he can do both.

Lienert-Brown's experience remains hugely valuable, but selection cannot simply become a reward for past service. If Rennie truly believes that jerseys must be earned, then Proctor has done enough to force his way into the conversation. The 31-year-old has been a brilliant All Black, but Proctor's current form should win the day.

This is another difficult call, particularly because David Havili offers something every international coach values: versatility. The Crusaders back can cover multiple positions and has plenty of experience at the highest level. However, versatility alone should not guarantee a place in the squad.

Quinn Tupaea has arguably made the stronger case during the latest Super Rugby Pacific season, and his performances for the Chiefs have now been rewarded with international recognition. The centre is direct, physical and comfortable playing through contact. Those qualities could be particularly valuable against South Africa, where the midfield battle is likely to be one of the defining contests of the tour.

Tupaea is also coming off a superb club season, having played a key role in the Chiefs' run to the Super Rugby Pacific final. His performances were enough to see him named Player of the Season, and he enters the international window with enormous momentum. Havili's ability to cover multiple positions makes him an attractive squad option, but the Springboks tour is not the time to select players simply because they can fill gaps across the team. Tupaea offers the greater physical threat and is the player I would back to make an impact against South Africa.

This is probably the most difficult decision on the list. Patrick Tuipulotu's experience would be hugely valuable against the Springboks. The 33-year-old has more than 50 Test caps and understands exactly what is required in the most physically demanding matches in international rugby.

However, Josh Lord has continued to impress whenever given an opportunity. The younger lock offers tremendous mobility, athleticism and work rate around the pitch. Those qualities could be particularly useful if Rennie wants New Zealand to play at a high tempo and challenge South Africa with a more mobile pack.

The Springboks will inevitably bring a huge physical challenge, but New Zealand cannot simply try to beat South Africa at their own game. They will need to move the ball, maintain a high tempo and force the Springboks' larger forwards to defend repeatedly. Lord's ability to cover ground and contribute around the park makes him an intriguing option in that battle.

Tuipulotu may ultimately be too valuable to leave at home, particularly given his experience, but if the selection is based purely on current form and the style of rugby Rennie wants to play, Lord has a compelling case to take his place.

Touring South Africa is not about rewarding past achievements, It is about selecting the players most capable of beating the world champions on their own turf. That means making difficult decisions.

Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Anton Lienert-Brown, David Havili and Patrick Tuipulotu have all been outstanding servants for New Zealand, but I would leave all five out of the touring squad. Rennie has spent the opening weeks of his tenure rewarding players who have seized their opportunities.

Now comes the biggest test of whether he is truly willing to follow through on that philosophy. If form is the deciding factor, these five All Blacks could be the biggest names left at home.