Milner-Skudder ‘fizzing’
Prop might have been a stretch, but you suspect there aren’t many places Nehe Milner-Skudder wouldn’t have agreed to play this week.
October 31, 2015 was the last time the 26-year-old played for New Zealand. The All Blacks won a Rugby World Cup final on that occasion.
Shoulder, hamstring and foot injuries have kept Milner-Skudder out of the side since. Finally able to string a few games together, the brilliant outside back’s reward was selection in the All Blacks side to meet Argentina in New Plymouth tomorrow.
It’ll mean playing on the left wing for the first time but, after the two years he’s had, MilnerSkudder is happy to be on the park at all.
All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen said the Hurricanes player had volunteered for the No 11 jumper. The reality was he ‘‘just wanted to play, really’’. scones weren’t far behind.’’
Moody will be more than welcome to pop in again, giving the glowing report he gave.
‘‘Went in there, got the big welcome and the scones, had a bit of a yarn and a look about the house and what-not. Then Scott took us down to the milking shed, gave some boys a bit of milk straight out of the vat,’’ said Moody. Which can be an acquired taste. ‘‘I’m a big fan of it. I love it. A couple of the boys, it was a bit different for them but, yeah. Then he gave us a wee tour around, went up the lighthouse and [had] a good wee day,’’ Moody said.
For first five-eighth Beauden Barrett, being back in his old stamping ground meant having to forgo his traditional Wednesday golf game.
Barrett finds golf clears his head, but with Saturday’s being just his second game for the All Blacks in New Plymouth there’s been plenty of friends and family to catch up with.