NEHE COMES FROM NOWHERE
Nehe Milner-Skudder first caught the All Blacks' attention in the 2014 Mitre 10 Cup.
The then 24-year-old was playing in the back three for Manawatu and his footwork and agility were impossible to ignore.
At the end of that campaign the All Blacks decided to track him hard in Super Rugby and see if he was able to beat players as easily there as he was doing it at provincial level.
If they got confirmation of that, MilnerSkudder had potential to be their surprise selection in World Cup year as he was in possession of such an unusual skill-set.
He would be their point of difference – an impossible to read wing with the ability to create space from nothing.
So when Milner-Skudder impressed in his rookie campaign with the Hurricanes the All Blacks surprised most observers by picking him for the Rugby Championship.
The All Blacks were sure he was ready despite his lack of experience. And they were right. In his first test against Australia MilnerSkudder scored two tries and another in the return game to establish himself as the first choice option on the right wing.
Milner-Skudder was electric at the World Cup – a new player with new tricks that opponents couldn't analyse or predict.
He brought a new attacking dimension to the All Blacks and they instantly became a better team with Milner-Skudder's energy, finishing and enthusiasm.