Hosea Gear, Liam Messam, Wyatt Crockett and Jarrad Hoeata appear to have had their Rugby World Cup dreams dashed while the remainder of the All Blacks squad that lost to South Africa last weekend arrived in Brisbane for Saturday's Tri Nations decider.

The 30-man squad will only be revealed on Tuesday - and some Cup-bound players are not required to play the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium - but leaving their teammates at Sydney airport indicates they missed the cut unless the selectors have had a rethink.

Before the All Blacks headed to South Africa, coach Graham Henry said he would use only World Cup-bound players in his 26-strong squad to play the Wallabies.

Gear, a standout on last year's grand slam tour of the UK and Ireland, seems to have been denied a wing berth while versatile loose forward Messam, who started at No.8 in the 18-5 loss to the Springboks in Port Elizabeth, could have been usurped by a late addition to the Tri-Nations squad, Victor Vito.

Tony Woodcock's comeback from a foot injury looks to have ended Crockett's hopes; Hoeata was always a stop-gap measure for Anthony Boric, who is scheduled to prove his fitness after another foot problem when North Harbour host Wellington on Friday night.

A group of 19 weary players arrived in Brisbane - two hours behind schedule after their flight from Johannesburg was delayed and they missed a connection.

An advance party of World Cup certainties who were spared the trip to South Africa - Richie McCaw, Daniel Carter, Kieran Read, Brad Thorn Owen Franks, Conrad Smith and Mils Muliaina - had checked into the team hotel earlier after a trouble-free hop across the Tasman.

Gear's absence apparently translates to good news for Wellington and Hurricanes teammate Cory Jane; Sitiveni Sivivatu's status is unclear as he nurses a fractured eye socket - Zac Guildford is in Brisbane, though possibly only as cover.

Colin Slade has been excused for his mixed performance against South Africa while Israel Dagg and Richard Kahui seem to have confirmed their selection after impressive efforts against the reigning world champions.

Although it is understood the players were told who would be burdened with ending New Zealand's World Cup heartache at Eden Park on October 23 before they left South Africa, they were keeping quiet about their prospects.

Jane, an enthusiastic tweeter, told his Twitter followers "I need 2moro 2 hurry up cos I'm veddy (sic) nervous," while waiting in the departure lounge at Sydney airport.

He was not included in the initial squad of 30 for the Tri Nations but was one of a quartet drafted in to cover for injury and excelled against the Springboks in Wellington.

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