Naholo, Squire to make suprise appearance?
Former All Black Christian Cullen has endorsed wing Sevu Reece as an All Blacks bolter, but says the Crusaders’ potent new weapon isn’t the only outside back putting his hand up.
Cullen is also a big fan of Hurricanes wing Wes Goosen, who made a fool of Solomon Alaimalo during the Hurricanes’ romp over the Chiefs in Wellington on Saturday night.
However, as slick as Goosen is, it’s Reece’s name which has been trending since his eye-popping performance against the Lions in Christchurch on Friday night. The 22-year-old was dynamite, scoring two outrageously good fivepointersone via pure strength and the other with finesse and speed- to take his season tally to six tries in five games (four starts).
Cullen, who played 60 tests for the All Blacks between 1996 and 2002, said Reece was “absolutely” making himself noticed to All Blacks selectors ahead of the World Cup
Ain Japan later this year. “We’ve seen it before with Nehe Milner-Skudder (in 2015). He (Sevu Reece) has been playing really well, he’s got all the tools. But in saying that, he’s playing outside a pretty good Crusaders team. I guess you’ve still got to score the tries and do the work, he’s been doing that.
“I don’t think he would let anybody down. There’s probably a couple of blokes that could fit into that spot that wouldn’t let the team down.”
Reece, who joined the Crusaders as injury cover for Israel Dagg (knee) in December, before earning an upgraded contract when Manasa Mataele blew out his knee in round two, is soon expected to sign with the reigning champions beyond this year.
It’s certainly a different path from where the now the 22-year-old was headed on this time last year, before the well-documented off-field incident involving his partner
ll Blacks Waisake Naholo and Liam Squire are tracking ahead of schedule in their injury comebacks and could even return for the Highlanders against the Chiefs in Dunedin this Saturday.
“Both of those guys are potentially ready for maybe next week or the following week,” head coach Aaron Mauger said yesterday. “We’re very fortunate we’ve got an outstanding medical staff who do everything they can to get our boys back on the field as soon as possible.
“We saw that with Aaron Smith and few other guys who have come back this year from some niggles, so hopefully those guys will either be back either next week or the week after.”
The return of Squire and Naholo would be another boost for an ebullient Highlanders side that suddenly looks like it could cause some damage at the business end of the Super Rugby season.
The Highlanders dismantled the Sunwolves 52-0 in Tokyo last Friday night with a physical and skilful performance and resulted in Irish club Connacht shredding his contract.
“That [off-field incident] is in the past,” Reece told media earlier this month.
“All of that has been dealt with and now I’m just grateful for where I am today. I’m just going to keep working hard.
“At that moment (I signed with Connacht), I thought that was the best decision to make then. Now, looking back, I’m the happiest ever getting to fulfil my dreams.” Having recently re-signed with Waikato for the 2019 Mitre 10 Cup, Fijian-born Reece, the only member of his family living in New Zealand, is reportedly set to gain a New Zealand passport later this year.
Of course, Fiji would dearly love him to play for them. Reece’s father, William, told the Fiji Sun he and wife Amelia would be content either way. Squire and Naholo will be desperate to get back on the paddock after frustrating campaigns.
Squire has not played a minute of Super Rugby this year due to hip and knee issues while Naholo was searching for form before he picked up a knee injury at training at the start of the month.
“There’s no guarantees,” Mauger said. “There’s still a lot of work to get through before they are considered for selection but they’ve been very dedicated to the plans put in place by the medical staff.
“Marty Banks is also due back in a few weeks as well.
“Hopefully we’ll have all those guys fit and ready for the Jaguares game (in Dunedin on May 11) or heading into Africa, at least.” The prognosis wasn’t as promising for first-five Bryn Gatland, who was helped off in the final stages of the Sunwolves game in obvious discomfort.
Mauger said Gatland had suffered a foot injury that would require scans but backed utility back Josh McKay to step up in a playmaker role in Gatland’s likely absence.
“We will not interfere, but it will be a pleasant surprise if he gets selected for the All Blacks,” William said.
Asked if he would select Sevu Reece if he was naming an All Blacks team today, Cullen refrained from locking him in but said he and 23-year-old Goosen simply needed to keep at it.
“The thing about Wes, he can cover the midfield, as well, and he’s been playing pretty well. He’s a finisher and he’s deceptively quick. Some of those tries he’s scored over the last couple of weekends have been pretty good. “They’ve both put their hands up, I think.”
Having admitted time was running out for injured Highlander Waisake Naholo to return and find form, Cullen also threw Crusaders Braydon Ennor and George Bridge, who attended the All Blacks’ foundation day in Wellington earlier this month, out there as possible starters opposite left-wing Rieko “Josh has played No 10 for the (Highlanders) Bravehearts this year,” Mauger said.
“He played a lot of No 10 in his early years, at school and through the age grades and he’s run a lot at No 10 at training.
“If Josh had to play at No 10 we’d back him to do the job. If he gets that opportunity I’m sure he’ll take it with both hands.” Mauger was proud of the belief his side had maintained during their five-game losing streak and praised their patience and option taking in Tokyo.
Elliot Dixon and Tom Franklin, both of whom are coming off seasons in Japan, were also in “close to career-best form”, Mauger said, and he acknowledged that three-test All Black Dixon would be hard to displace from the No 8 jersey.
“If you look at how Elliot’s playing, it’s pretty tough not to play him,” Mauger said. “He’s done everything we’ve asked of him and he’s been a standout.
“We’ve got some quality players in our loose forward department.” Ioane.
One-test All Black bridge continues to play on the left-wing for the Crusaders, although Cullen did not believe a shift would be a problem.
“I don’t know how difficult it is. I just moved from fullback to the right-wing, I never played left. I’m sure it can’t be that hard. I’m sure a guy like Bridge could move to the right-wing if needed.”