Winger Jeff Wilson had doubts whether he'd ever return to the form that once made him the All Blacks' top Test try-scorer, he said on Sunday.

Now he will be providing coach Wayne Smith with a selection headache when the All Blacks open their Tri-Nation series against South Africa in Cape Town on July 21.

Wilson and Doug Howlett gave Smith plenty to think about over his right-wing selection during their week-long break this week.

The All Blacks, with Taranaki prop Gordon Slater and Waikato centre Keith Lowen added to the Test squad on Sunday, return to camp on Sunday to start preparing for the Tri-Nations.

"It's a good problem to have," Smith said. He admitted he could be tempted to field both in Cape Town, with Wilson switching to fullback, in which case Leon MacDonald would miss out on the run-on team.

While Wilson reclaimed the All Blacks' record for most Test tries - 43 - with his five-pointer against France on Saturday, Howlett maintained his superb form off the bench.

He scored the All Blacks' fourth try within 35 seconds of coming on and with his first touch of the ball. It was also from right wing after Wilson moved to fullback when MacDonald went off.

Howlett's deed had similarities to his Test debut last year, when he came on and scored with his first touch in about 22 seconds against Tonga.

The Aucklander, 22, has now the remarkable feat of scoring in all his seven Tests. "It just opened up in front of me," he said of his looping run to the line after Jonah Lomu captured the attention of the French with his decoy run.

Wilson's try was perhaps not as important as the clear indications from his play that he was regaining the form that made him one of the best wingers in the world.

"There were certainly doubts during the Super 12, to be honest," the 27-year-old said. "I was wondering whether I was going to get back to standard, but I've worked hard over the last six weeks to two months to get myself to full fitness.

Wilson overtook Christian Cullen's 42 tries in the All Blacks' 37-12 win over France, a match that saw three All Black wingers - Lomu and Howlett being the others - touch down.

"It'll be temporary, I'm sure," Wilson said of his new try record. "There's no doubt Cully (Cullen) is going to get back to full fitness and we look forward to that - it's only a matter of time that he gets back.

"I spoke to him yesterday and he felt pretty good. He's such a valuable player."

The selection will be interesting when Cullen, currently recuperating from a knee operation, is back - expected by the time New Zealand play their second Tri-Nations match against Australia on August 11.

The big scrap for position before then would be between Wilson and Howlett, who despite his sharp form in the Super 12 has started the last two Tests in the reserves.

"Competition is great," Wilson said. "I know Wayne has some difficult decisions to make. He's going to have tougher ones in the future. It's up to us to keep it fresh.

"Dougie played exceptionally well last year (when Wilson decided to take a break from rugby). There're no illusions that when he gets his chance he'll take it. It's up to me to try and hang on as long as I can. He's an outstanding finisher."

Wilson said he was happy that play came his way on Saturday and that he had made the most of it. He also showed a willingness to mix it when needed.

"He took it up the guts a few times," his Otago teammate and All Blacks flyhalf Tony Brown said. - Sapa