All Blacks: Toeava sums up backline depth

Isaia Toeava ended the All Blacks' tour as one of the inform wingers. Photo / Getty Images

Isaia Toeava has been denied a lucrative payday guesting for the Barbarians against South Africa in London next weekend but he can take comfort from the fact his stocks have never been higher with the All Blacks selectors.

The utility, who started his intermittent 30-test career at fullback on Graham Henry's first triumphant Grand Slam expedition in 2005, has also been employed as a centre at international level and finished yesterday's unbeaten tour for the UK and Ireland established on the right wing.

Toeava strained knee ligaments in the fifth minute of the All Blacks 37-25 victory at the Millennium Stadium when setting up the first of Hosea Gear's double but persevered through the pain and scored New Zealand's match-winner eight minutes from fulltime.

However, the injury has ended hopes of a return to Twickenham on Sunday (NZT) - the venue of his current resurgence against England when he replaced Joe Rokocoko during the All Blacks' 26-16 triumph on November 6.

The Aucklander's development from the shy, overawed teenage debutant at Murrayfield five years ago to the more self-assured individual seen on this tour marks the 24 year old as one of success stories of a tour which has seen backline depth increase in positions other than first five-eighth and fullback.

Toeava and Gear - the specialist wing who had played just two tests in the 24 months preceding this tour - were the fastest moving speedsters on the five-test schedule that started with a rare Bledisloe Cup defeat in Hong Kong.

They were ranked behind Joe Rokocoko and Cory Jane at the outset but made the most of opportunities against the English to increase the outside back options for Henry to select his World Cup squad.

"We're pleased with the progress of players, I think we're in pretty good shape," the head coach said before the 29-man squad went their separate ways after a night celebrating New Zealand's fourth Grand Slam.

Sonny Bill Williams was another obvious stand out in his rookie tour, particularly at second five-eighth against Scotland, though Ma'a Nonu issued a reminder of his class against the Welsh when he replaced the former league star in the 48th minute.

Nonu, now locked in a two-way battle with Williams for the No 12 jersey, underscored the competitive nature of the side when he said the backline unit still had plenty of scope for improvement in 2011.

Despite backs recording 15 of the All Blacks 21 tries on tour, Nonu was a harsh marker and reckoned their Wallabies counterparts set the benchmark in terms of skill and execution.

"People talk about how they're not big in size but they're pretty skilful. They're the best in the world at running lines, Quade Cooper and Kurtley Beale have showed a lot of skill on this tour."

To emphasise the potency of the Wallabies back division, they were responsible for six of seven tries recorded during yesterday's ominous record-breaking 59-13 thrashing of France in Paris.

Drew Mitchell nailed a hattrick while James O'Connor, the last-gasp match winner in Hong Kong, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Will Genia also made a mockery of the Tricolores' defensive systems.

"I think we're scratching the surface," said Nonu of the All Blacks attacking weaponry.

"We want to take it to another level, break up defences and perfect our moves."

That developmental process resumes when the All Blacks get down to business with their Super rugby franchises. Henry, for one, was in no rush for it to get underway.

"The big thing now is these guys need some space to recover and recuperate. Then they can and set their sights again at the beginning of next year," he said.

Toeava should be back to full fitness by then, likewise No 8 Kieran Read, who strained ligaments in his right knee late in the first half.

Gear, an imposing presence on the left wing despite rolling his right ankle after just 30 seconds, was the other notable casualty from the 24th consecutive victory over Wales.

The players left Cardiff today bound for home, promotional activities in Europe or the Barbarians camp - Daniel Braid, Andy Ellis, Keven Mealamu, Nonu, Rokocoko and Neemia Tialata have one more game to endure before returning to New Zealand and a deserved vacation.

- NZPA