When he almost made it through a full game in the Super 14, Richard Kahui showed enough to interest the All Black selectors more than they would let on.
The Chiefs centre looked every part a test candidate in his confrontation with the Blues Isaia Toeava, he hada range of skills which suggested he would cope with international rugby.
He had speed, good footwork, he defended powerfully, there was also a finesse about his play and he looked at ease with his decisions until he disappeared to rest his bung shoulder.
Kahui's talents were of rising appeal to the All Black selectors because of continuing doubts about those who have tried to replace Tana Umaga.
Mils Muliaina has been the sharpest and most reliable but he was also the best fullback in the land, Ma'a Nonu was still loose in his play, Conrad Smith was no more than steady and there were questions about Toeava's ability under pressure.
The 21-year-old Kahui went close to touring last year with the All Blacks after an impressive national provincial championship, coach Graham Henry mentioned his name in the near-misses column. Apparently they liked what they saw from Kahui in his 70 minutes against the Blues and were chewing over how to further test him in the initial three domestic tests against France and Canada.
However Kahui's unco-operative shoulder has kiboshed that, removed him from rugby for the rest of the year and once more left centre as the most cloudy selection area before the All Black panel announce their squad next weekend.
While injuries have sorted out some issues, the All Black selectors still have a surfeit of talent to sift for their initial group.
Across the Tasman, Wallaby coach John Connolly was spouting similar thoughts about his forward resources. He was not quite so certain about the backup for a powerful but ageing backline but he was bullish about his pack, claiming the Wallabies had players to cover every position twice.
I defer to his expertise but the last time I looked, the propping wealth looked as deep as the quality of Australian referees.
None of the Aussie props are in the class of Carl Hayman, Tony Woodcock, Clarke Dermody, Neemia Tialata and Co but maybe Connolly figures a combination of the tedious crouch, touch, pause and engage scrum commands from uncertain referees will give the Wallabies enough leeway to cope with that area.
For full coverage and reaction from the Super 14 semifinals on Sunday go to nzherald.co.nz
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