The All Blacks coaches are delighted with the readiness of rested playmaker Daniel Carter and the blossoming pivot work of Piri Weepu as a rib injury lingers with first five-eighths Stephen Donald ahead of next week's tour.

Donald won't play in the All Blacks wider training squad's practice match against the New Zealand Barbarians in Auckland today as he continues to nurse sore ribs picked up playing for Waikato three weeks ago.

The All Blacks are reasonably relaxed about Donald at the moment, believing he should be ready for the opening test of the six-match tour against Australia in Hong Kong on Saturday week.

To risk him at this stage would appear pointless.

But they see the Baabaas game as a good chance for Carter to shake off any rust.

Carter, a late addition to the training squad after not being required by Canterbury, is likely to play the entire match for his first taste of rugby since helping New Zealand clinch the Bledisloe Cup and Tri-Nations way back on September 13.

Carter has spent his down time making a whirlwind visit to his new French club Perpignan and opening a new fashion store in the trendy Auckland shopping district of Newmarket.

But he's clearly also been busy working away on his fitness, much to the delight of backs coach Wayne Smith.

"He's professional isn't he ... he has worked hard in the last three weeks to get himself in good nick," said Smith of Carter as the 26 players gathered in Auckland went through two vigorous training sessions in warm temperatures which they can expect in Asia.

"He's done more than that - he's done the skills work as well. These guys know it's the big stage and they don't want to let themselves down. I'm sure that will get him through it.

"I guess if you look at Dan over the next year he hasn't got a lot of space for breaks and that's probably the concern. So this has been good for him. Canterbury have shown a lot of understanding for that, too. He's still the cover for them (in the Air New Zealand Cup final) in case they get injuries.

"But he will probably get a while in the game here in the meantime."

Carter certainly looked fresh and eager at training where he rubbed shoulders with an enthusiastic bunch of new recruits who were getting up to speed with the All Blacks' ways.

Certainly he has been a key this year, working is way into some super form during a campaign where he started every test.

Donald has been chipping away in the background, looking and learning and showing increased confidence. Now there is the bonus of Weepu to factor in.

Weepu's utility value has encouraged Smith in this key area. With the quality play of Wellington No 9 Alby Mathewson, Weepu has regularly switched between halfback and first five in helping the Lions in their title race and is now seen as a genuine backup to Carter and Donald in a national squad scenario and on game day as well.

He is likely to play at 10 again in the Air New Zealand Cup final.

"Piri looks more like a genuine first five than he did in the past. I've been really pleased with him," said Smith.

"It's great that it gives us another string to the bow. In the heat of the battle if we loose two five eighths you'd be quite happy that we have got him there.

"I think Wellington managed it well during the early part of the season. I've talked about it with Piri.

"He's very competitive and he wants to be the No 1 halfback. He wants to be playing halfback. But he's a team man, he's (Wellington) captain and he wants what's best for the team and he has done that. But from our point of view it's developed him as a rugby player."

Smith reaffirmed that the 35-man touring squad to be announced on Sunday morning had been chosen in the eyes of the selectors. Today's practice match, which involves five players yet to play for the All Blacks, and the Air New Zealand Cup final at the Cake Tin will have little relevance to who boards the plane to Hong Kong on Monday night.

"You never say never ... clearly the final is a big game and there might be the odd performance that catches the eye. But I think we are pretty well settled."

Smith said the practice match still had significance for both proven and unproven talent.

"It's a game to get some players right physically, so they are into contact and into the rhythm of a game before we depart.

"For others it's an opportunity to show what they have got. It's good to give players an indication of where they stand and we have a got of time for all of these players. Some will miss out but at least they know they are in the mix and they will be in the next group.

"They are maybe only an injury away from joining us if we need a replacement. We want them semi-prepared for that. We want them understanding the sort of game that we play, the moves etc."