Rugby: All Black idol

Sonny Bill Williams must decide whether he wants to stay in Toulon or return home to push for a World Cup place. Photo / Getty Images

All Black sides have often had a player with x-factor heading into a World Cup but, as Gregor Paul reports, there doesn't seem to be one this time around.

It feels like there's something missing from the national game at the moment.

It's not just that New Zealand's teams have been a little flat, either. It's bigger than that.

The Super 14 hasn't unearthed anyone new and exciting this year. No new heroes have arrived offering something different; something that looks capable of taking the All Blacks to a new level.

And, 16 months out from the World Cup, the All Blacks are in need of something a little different. What they have is a core of well-known, experienced players. Dan Carter and Richie McCaw don't so much offer x-factor as the ability to perform the basics at a higher level than everyone else.

Those two and Brad Thorn, Andrew Hore, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith and Mils Muliaina provide the stability.

They are the high-quality, seasoned performers who are indispensible.

With this group, bolstered by Cory Jane, Anthony Boric, Tony Woodcock, Owen Franks, Jerome Kaino, Adam Thomson and Jimmy Cowan, the All Blacks will be competitive.

However, the rest of the world knows plenty about this group of players. What they offer and how the All Blacks play is well known. There has to be a hidden dimension - something extra; preferably the arrival of a stunning individual.

Competitive might not be quite enough to win a World Cup. South Africa, Australia and France will have similar strengths; will be similarly equipped to feel confident.

The All Blacks are in the market for someone offering a random element; someone the rest of the world can't figure out. That's what will separate them from the pack - a player who gives the All Blacks a new dimension in World Cup year.

In 1987 they unearthed Michael Jones, a rugby God who arrived on the scene and gave the All Blacks a player everyone would have killed for. No one knew how to deal with Jones, he came with skills that were unusual.

In 1995, the All Blacks unveiled three phenomenal new players at the World Cup - Jonah Lomu, Josh Kronfeld and Andrew Mehrtens.

What Lomu did doesn't need to be recounted, while Kronfeld stung everyone with his ability to support the ball carrier. The rest of the world was using big, ball-carrying opensides and the All Blacks surprised with their use of a genuine fetcher.

In 2003, Dan Carter, Ma'a Nonu and Joe Rokocoko made the All Blacks in their debut Super Rugby seasons.

Neither Carter nor Nonu were used as much as they would have liked, but Rokocoko gave the All Blacks finishing power and brute strength on the wing - ending the year with a record 17 tries.

The 2010 Super 14 hasn't thrown up the wild card. The likes of Israel Dagg, Michael Paterson and Sam Whitelock have played well. But are they players who will deliver the missing piece of magic to the All Blacks?

Rene Ranger has shown flashes of brilliance but he's loose, error prone and a certainty to be horribly exposed by the kick and catch rugby favoured by the Springboks.

Victor Vito is a candidate. He has knuckled down this year and shown he can handle the technicalities of his role. He's also given glimpses of his pace and power in the loose - something, given the lack of turnovers in the game, he'll be encouraged to do more by the All Black coaches.

But the thing about x-factor players - men who make the critical difference - is that they don't leave room for uncertainty. There is no debate about whether they are good enough to perform at test match level.

Christian Cullen was so prolific at fullback in 1996, so obviously a world-class talent, that every amateur selector in the country had him in their All Black team.

Carlos Spencer was another whose talents didn't need to be explained. It took him barely five minutes to establish himself as a player with exceptional gifts.

But these days heroes are no longer instant. There is a reluctance in coaching circles to let young players loose in Super 14.

There is a slowly, slowly culture where raw talent, such as Vito, is phased into action. Last year, in his rookie season, he played nine games, mostly off the bench.

It meant that some of the element of surprise was lost this year - teams knew a little about him. Aaron Cruden has been handled in much the same way.

Breaking players in gently is not without merit. It reduces the risk of them being mentally destroyed in their first outings and gives them space and time to build their game and find their feet.

But the downside is that it moulds players into existing patterns and some of the natural instincts are blunted.

The current All Black coaching panel have also favoured this approach. Luke McAlister was worked into the team over the course of 2005 and 2006, eventually making the No 12 jersey his own in 2007.

The same model might work for Vito - using him off the bench this year with the occasional start.

And if it does, it will add resolve to the panel's conviction that for anyone to star at the 2011 World Cup, they have to make the squad this year.

The plan is to use the end-of-year tour to the UK as a World Cup dress rehearsal. A squad of 30, maybe 32, will travel and those not on the plane will find it hard to force their way into the 30-man squad picked for the tournament.

There is a danger the selectors settle on their final 30 too early and miss the opportunity to introduce someone new next year; someone who might blast forward under the radar.

But defence coach Wayne Smith says the door will remain open and that the selectors will not be unduly risk averse. "Form will be the guide," says Smith.

Rene Ranger
There has been much excitement around Ranger this season following some eye-catching performances when he was able to break the line at will. He is a deceptively powerful runner and capable of making things happen when nothing much appears to be on.

That side of his game appeals. But he is a long way from being a test footballer. He drops the ball too often, can be loose when carrying into contact and tries too hard at times to deliver the miracle.

There are doubts about his ability under the high ball and he doesn't appear to have a kicking game.

If he can tidy his work - look after possession better, be prepared to balance his game with some safe options and develop a kicking repertoire - then he could be a contender for a World Cup place.

Sonny Bill Williams
Anyone who saw Sonny Bill Williams play league will know he is a phenomenal athlete. In the last six months he has become, by most accounts, a very good rugby player, too.

He will have to make his mind up in June whether he wants to come home and push for a World Cup place or stay with Toulon. If he chooses New Zealand, then the All Black coaches will back themselves to turn him into their World Cup superstar.

Williams has all the raw materials. He is tall, loves to offload and loves to run with the ball. He has pace and power and the prospect of him playing in midfield alongside Dan Carter is one that genuinely excites the coaching panel.

Victor Vito
Has the raw power and pace to be lethal at every level of the game. Has clearly been told by the All Black selectors to focus less on foraging for the ball and more on carrying it.

At 1.94m and 110kg, Vito is a destructive runner. He's quick and has shown how dangerous he can be when he beats the first tackle and builds momentum.

He tackles hard as well and is the type of loose forward who will pop up in strange places, use his strength to create space or finish a move no one else could have.