Muliaina: Start Ben Smith at fullback

In the final instalment of Stuff’s buildup to the naming of the All Blacks squad for this season’s Rugby Championship, discusses the outside backs with

Former All Black Mils Muliaina has one wish for the Rugby Championship – start vice-captain Ben Smith at fullback.

It’s not that Smith doesn’t shine when shunted to the right wing, but Muliaina would rather the All Blacks don’t run out the same backthree as they did in the first two tests against France in June.

Muliaina, who played 100 tests for the All Blacks between 2003-2011, would replace Jordie Barrett at fullback with Smith, while Rieko Ioane and Waisake Naholo would be his starting wings.

Otherwise, although George Bridge ‘‘has All Black written all over him’’, he refrained from changing the five outside backs the All Blacks used against France – the same group which attended a training camp in Christchurch the past week.

‘‘My suspicion is [Smith] probably wants to be at the back,’’ Muliaina told Stuff. ‘‘Obviously, Rieko [Ioane] is always going to be a starter. But for me, you build it around Ben Smith . . . he is the first name you put on paper.’’

Being pushed to the wing against France wasn’t foreign territory for Smith, who has also had to don the No 14 jersey in the past so Israel Dagg could play at fullback.

Barrett is arguably better than Smith under the high ball due to his height, and has a hefty right boot. However, Muliaina doesn’t yet see him as the complete package like Smith.

‘‘They [All Blacks] see something in Jordie and his ability. He hasn’t shone as much as perhaps they would have liked during Super Rugby, but that’s probably purely down to the fact he’s played centre a lot and been moved around a lot.’’

With Ioane and Smith locked in, Muliaina gave Naholo the nod over Hurricanes wing Nehe Milnerskudder on the right-wing.

Due to injuries, like Barrett, Milner-skudder was forced to move around during Super Rugby, and was far from his best at fullback in his team’s semifinal loss to the Crusaders last weekend.

‘‘He’s a wing. He’s an out-and-out finisher. With Nehe, he’s had a lot going on, lots of injuries,’’ Muliaina said.

‘‘I’ve been there before as well, it’s not just being able to slot in one or two games, you need a month or two to get yourself settled in that position. I’d love to see Nehe on the wing – he has proven to be one of the best wingers in the world.’’

As was the case when Hurricanes tryscoring sensation Ben Lam missed out against France, his omission in Muliaina’s squad might ruffle a few more feathers, particularly in the capital. Ben Smith, Rieko Ioane, Waisake Naholo, Jordie Barrett, Nehe Milner-skudder.

Codie Taylor, Liam Coltman, Joe Moody, Owen Franks, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Jeffery Toomaga-allen, Ofa Tu’ungafasi

Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Tom Franklin Liam Squire, Sam Cane, Kieran Read, Ardie Savea, Vaea Fifita, Shannon Frizell, Luke Whitelock

Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Brad Weber

Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo’unga

Damian Mckenzie, Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, Ngani Laumape, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-brown

Ben Smith, Rieko Ioane, Waisake Naholo, Jordie Barrett, Nehe Milner-skudder

Lam scored 16 tries for the Hurricanes this year, and Muliaina called him a ‘‘great finisher’’, but said he needs to go looking for more work if he’s to get called up.

In Muliaina’s books, Bridge is a more complete player than Lam, while Chief Solomon Alaimalo is also bashing down the door.

‘‘Purely because the stuff I’ve seen [Bridge] do, he’s got a massive engine, he’s deceptively strong, breaks a lot of tackles, his work rate on defence. In the last couple of weeks, I’ve seen him come off his wing, scramble and make try-saving tackles – that’s just work ethic.

‘‘He’s the most consistent backthree player at the moment. When you’re watching him live, the stuff he does off the ball is absolutely amazing. He’s got All Black written all over him. It’s just where does he actually fit in and when?’’

Mils Muliaina’s outside backs picks:

All Blacks Rugby Championship squad (as picked by per six former All Blacks): Front row:

Locks: Loose forwards:

Halfbacks: First five-eighths: Midfield backs:

Outside backs:

GETTY IMAGES In Mils Muliaina’s eyes, Ben Smith, left, should be an automatic pick for the All Blacks at fullback while Jordie Barrett, right, hasn’t been helped by having played several positions for the Hurricanes in Super Rugby.