All Blacks: Will Sopoaga fit into World Cup plans?

Lima Sopoaga of New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images.

As Lima Sopoaga celebrated his excellent All Blacks debut at Ellis Park with a favourite milkshake, he might have allowed his thoughts to wander to a Rugby World Cup tournament in England and Wales.

Had he done enough in the 27-20 victory over the Springboks to include selection for the All Blacks' 31-player World Cup squad which will be named in Wellington on August 30? After his performance against the second-best team in the world at one of the most formidable stadiums in rugby, the short answer is yes, but it might not be that simple.

With the selectors set on a 17-forward, 14-back split, there might not be enough room to accommodate another specialist No10 alongside Dan Carter.

Carter, the All Blacks' No1 first-five, and Beauden Barrett must be considered shoo-ins, fitness permitting, and Colin Slade, has, like Barrett, superb versatility.

The All Blacks' backs reserves are usually made up of halfback, a first-five who can cover fullback, and a midfielder. It's hard to see how Sopoaga fits in here should Carter, Barrett and Slade get through the final pre-World Cup tests against Australia - starting in Sydney next Saturday and followed by the return Bledisloe Cup match at Eden Park in Auckland a week later - without injury.

Sopoaga might be disappointed if he's not included, but the previous World Cup proved he would do well to remain motivated and in good physical condition. In 2011, after Carter went down injured before the final pool game, Aaron Cruden was hauled off his skateboard and into the squad. Famously, Stephen Donald was brought in from whitebaiting on the Waikato River to cover for Colin Slade once he suffered a similar injury and kicked what turned out to be the winning penalty in the final.

So, depth in every position is plainly important and it's here, too, that All Black coach Steve Hansen's contract renewal to the end of 2017 could reap benefits in terms of building for the future. In the absence of Carter and Slade next year due to their moves to play in France, Sopoaga could quickly develop to be the All Blacks' top-rated No10. Hansen's determination to build for next year and beyond rather than focusing solely on the World Cup could in fact pay off at the 2015 cup.

Hansen and his selectors are preparing to have to leave some good players out of the squad but those left behind will be preparing for a call-up if not at the World Cup then next year.

"We have got to develop combinations and versatility, because if a player is injured during the World Cup he is out for the rest of the tournament," Hansen said before last weekend's test.

"We've got to have an experienced side on the park to be able to compete but, at the same time, we have to be brave enough to make some selections that will allow us to go forward in future," he said.

Hansen's decision to select Sopoaga was one of the boldest of his All Black coaching career. It may or may not pay off for the 24-year-old at this World Cup but it will next year.