Milner-Skudder oozes excitement

The All Black selectors must pick Nehe Milner-Skudder while he is hot. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Everyone finds different pieces of All Black rugby to thrill them and there were layers of excellence at Eden Park as they retained the Bledisloe Cup.

Granddaddy of the lot was the chance to salute the remarkable Richie McCaw then revel in the midfield damage caused by Ma'a Nonu, the awakening of Daniel Carter and the focus of Sam Whitelock.

They were stung by the poor performance in Sydney and the standards they set for themselves rather than any tosh delivered by them or the public about setting the media straight. That is the biggest lot of perpetuated bunkum.

They were out of sorts. They played modestly and responded strongly at Eden Park and that will also be reflected. It was a grand farewell before the World Cup and that squad selection at the end of the month.

Three minutes of mayhem from Nehe Milner-Skudder reinforced his claims.

Some players have potent excitement oozing all through them and this bloke has it right now. Who knows how long it will last but the All Black selectors must pick him while he is hot.

Ben Smith, Julian Savea and Charles Piutau should be backfield certainties and Milner-Skudder must be added to that lot, especially with his ability to play wing or fullback against some of the All Blacks' weak pool opponents.

Cover can come from Beauden Barrett or Colin Slade who are five-eighths with enough speed and all the skills to cover the backfield as well.

Leg troubles are an issue with Milner-Skudder but when he is fit he is liquid danger.

Twin pieces of brilliance from him after halftime pushed the All Blacks out of sight as they reinforced their 21 years of domination at Eden Park.

When Conrad Smith instigated a counter from another Wallaby kick, Milner-Skudder tangoed past several Wallaby tight forwards then turned two more defenders into knots before offloading round the corner for a penalty try.

He's as much a danger to his teammates as he is to himself and his opponents.

Anyone expecting an orthodox pass from Milner-Skudder or a standard piece of play will be in for a shock. He'll sidestep on the spot, change his tempo in a blink or offload round the corner, out the back of his hand, with an overhead dunk or chip kick.

His instincts are all about the continuity which the All Blacks thrive on.

The All Blacks can absorb that sort of different genius because Milner-Skudder has the basics sorted as well. He has a good kick and his timing and handling make him safe under the high ball, while his defence is adequate.

The Wallabies think they can absorb the erratic gifts of Quade Cooper but they are trying to do that in such a pivotal position as five-eighth and when they hide him defensively on the wing, he is also targeted.

Teams who hound Milner-Skudder had better be mega-precise otherwise the dynamo will make them remember.