Israel Dagg has barely been sighted this year due to injury © Getty Images

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Ability under the high ball, both on attack and defence, will be an area the All Blacks will do plenty of work on ahead of their defence of the Rugby World Cup. Assistant coach Ian Foster says it's an area of difference between Super Rugby and Test matches for fullbacks and wings.

Foster expects the All Blacks' back three to be challenged about their expertise under high balls, whether the kick came from their own side or the opposition.

"It's not a skill that they get asked a lot of in Super Rugby," he said. "Generally Super Rugby is a lot more ball in hand, whereas in a Test, particularly the World Cup, there's likely to be a lot more questions asked of the high ball. You will see us through this year really work hard on that particular aspect."

Foster was speaking at the end of a three-day All Blacks camp in Auckland. He said outside back Charles Piutau and half-back Tawera Kerr-Barlow, both coming back from knee damage, would go back and play some club rugby. Fullback Israel Dagg (calf) and loose forward Jerome Kaino (finger) were making good progress from their injuries. Missing from the camp were players from the Hurricanes and Highlanders, who are involved in the Super Rugby semi-finals on Saturday.

Top seeds the Hurricanes host the Brumbies in Wellington, before Highlanders take on the defending champion Waratahs in Sydney. Foster is hoping for an all-New Zealand final, even if that makes the job of the All Blacks coaching staff a little more difficult ahead of the Test against Samoa. No players involved in the July 4 final will be considered for the match in Apia four days later.

"Ideally, it would be fantastic," he said of Hurricanes and Highlanders getting through their semi-finals. "It will make things a bit more awkward, but this is New Zealand rugby and we would love to see both teams win. They've both made this country pretty proud, the way they've been playing."