The All Blacks' northern tour has been a voyage of discovery for their ability to finish over the top of England and Ireland in large and intimidating stadiums.

A key factor to their success in navigating those potentially treacherous waters after their Rugby Championship struggles has been the development of their front rowers: the heavy ballast of the team, if you like, including Tamaiti Williams, Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax, Pasilio Tosi and Ofa Tu'ungafasi.

Indeed, Williams, still only 24, has been so good that he kept the previously top-rated Ethan de Groot out of the starting line-up in Dublin after de Groot was dropped from the squad for the England Test.

The Southlander was available for the All Blacks’ 23-13 victory at the Aviva Stadium but couldn’t dislodge Williams or back-up loosehead Tu'ungfasi and he is likely to struggle to make the squad for the France Test in Paris on Sunday because the pair have suddenly become the incumbents.

With Williams and tighthead prop Lomax, the two current starters, setting an impressive standard through their core set-piece roles but also their wider skillset of pass, catch, carry and high-impact defence — and Tosi and Tu’ungafasi finishing matches in such dominant fashion — the All Blacks suddenly have a huge point of difference in the international game.

It is a groundswell not surprisingly making forwards coach Jason Ryan pretty happy.

"The front row selections are probably the toughest I’ve ever had in my coaching career with the competition that’s out there and that’s a credit to all the boys," Ryan said this morning.

"I’m not going to name names but they’re all working extremely hard and it makes for some tough conversations in the next couple of days."

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De Groot, dropped for a non-disclosed breach of protocol during the England Test week, may now have to bide his time.

Ryan said: "He was considered after the English Test but we rewarded form and that’s sometimes how it happens isn’t it? Guys get opportunities. He’s been working extremely hard, as they all have."

Ryan may not have wanted to name names but, when asked, couldn’t avoid praising Tu'ungafasi, a 32-year-old who has taken his excellent Super Rugby form into the Test arena, and, incidentally, was listed as being capable of playing all three front row positions in Dublin.

"Ofa has been a bit of an unsung hero," he said. "His experience and his professionalism in how he helps the younger boys and challenges the older guys is world class. It’s a credit to him and his family how he prepares every week."

The former Crusaders forwards coach was also asked about Williams, a relatively young man who burst on to the Test scene two years ago and who has followed a steep development curve.

“They’ve all got big ceilings and what their limit is, who knows? They’re doing well in their professional careers so far and are going from strength to strength, all of them."

The All Blacks' impact off the bench, especially the forwards, has been inconsistent in 2024 until this tour. But the performances of Aumua – on at Twickenham after only three minutes and playing almost the full 80 in Dublin — Tu'ungafasi, Tosi and lock Patrick Tuipulotu has put into sharp relief the depth of talent and potential Scott Robertson has.

It was instrumental in allowing the All Blacks to fight back against England and hold off Ireland. Robertson has been craving 80-minute performances this year and he has suddenly got two in two weeks.

"We’ve got work to do – never satisfied," Ryan added by way of caution. "We reviewed today really up-front. I guess we’ve created — if you’re talking about the forward pack in particular — some real selection headaches."

Of a return to the Stade de France for the first time since last November’s World Cup final defeat to South Africa (and after a tournament-opening loss to the hosts at the same stadium), Ryan said: "It’s one of the great stadiums – another great one that we get to play at on this tour.

"With 82,000-odd [seats], it’s a great atmosphere with a lot of singing. It will bring back a few memories I guess but this is a different team and we’re heading in a pretty exciting direction. We’re looking forward to playing France, we haven’t beaten them in a few years."

Ryan, speaking to the New Zealand media alongside halfback Cam Roigard, spoke of the privilege of playing France in Paris following Armistice memorial day – an occasion that marks the end of World War I. Both men wore poppies on their shirts.

As for Roigard, outstanding off the bench over the past fortnight, a starting role against inspirational France skipper and halfback Antoine Dupont appears increasingly likely.

"It’s hugely exciting," Roigard said, of the possibility of facing Dupont. "He’s got a great skillset. He has the ability to make or break games. He can create line breaks from nothing or put his team in the right areas of the field to win games.

"If I do play against him, it will be a real exciting opportunity for myself to play against the best – that’s when you’re really tested out. Collectively as a whole team, we’ve had two huge Tests and the challenge is to back it up again against a quality French side in their backyard as well."

The confirmation that former skipper Sam Cane (concussion protocols and head gash) and in-form wing Mark Tele'a (hand) are out of the Test due to injury are double blows for the All Blacks.

Better news is the potential twin return from concussion protocols of hooker Codie Taylor and first-five Beauden Barrett.

Watch Scotty Stevenson and Pat McKendry analyse the All Blacks' 'grudge match' win on our home for news, in-depth and consumer stories, TVNZ+.