At a glance
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. Mils Muliaina’s outside backs picks: Ben Smith, Rieko Ioane, Waisake Naholo, Jordie Barrett, Nehe Milner-Skudder.
All Blacks Rugby Championship squad (as picked by per six former All Blacks):
❚ Front row: Codie Taylor, Liam Coltman, Joe Moody, Owen Franks, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Ofa Tu’ungafasi
❚ Locks: Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Tom Franklin
❚ Loose forwards: Liam Squire, Sam Cane, Kieran Read, Ardie Savea, Vaea Fifita, Shannon Frizell, Luke Whitelock
❚ Halfbacks: Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Brad Weber
❚ First five-eighths: Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo’unga
❚ Midfield backs: Damian McKenzie, Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, Ngani Laumape, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown
❚ Outside backs: 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?’’