Rugby: Milner-Skudder proves he has the right ingredients for explosive formula

Nehe Milner-Skudder's scurries undid the Brumbies. Photo / Darren Taumata

Maybe the equation should be changed to Energy=MS2 or in this case Milner-Skudder at the double.

While we are at it, his forward sidekick in turbo mode is Ardie Savea, whose talents would be grabbed by most World Cup sides around the globe.

Not us, but then we do have Richie McCaw, Sam Cane and Matt Todd who would also waltz into any other teams.

Both Milner-Skudder and Savea were there, revved to the max and striking repeat daggers through the Brumbies carcass and then they were gone, taken by leg injuries which we hope do not eliminate them from the Super 15 final.

Until then the punishing paso doble scurries from Milner-Skudder down the right flank were gems for the Canes. He was involved in a flood of early action which should have delivered about four tries to the Canes rather than the one they had after the opening quarter.

The stutter step, the offload, the change of pace, the burst through the tackle, a chip and regather for something different - Milner-Skudder was a stinging nettle on the right wing.

The man can also fill in at fullback and showed us in this semifinal his safe technique under the high ball and his ability to track back and help out in defence.

They are qualities the All Black selectors want from their back three, men who will be fielding plenty of high kicks in the Rugby Championship and World Cup as opponents look for attacking kicks to get out of their territory.

While injured All Black squad member Cory Jane looked on, Milner-Skudder put the icing on his position.

If Milner-Skudder recovers and Jane passes a fitness test this week on his tight hamstring, will coaches Chris Boyd and John Plumtree change their back three for the final? James Marshall has looked strong at fullback and Julian Savea with Milner-Skudder have been burning danger on the flanks.

Jane and Israel Dagg bring experience to the All Blacks and their white-hot competition, on top of their range of skills, is their greatest ally when they are being considered for selection.

However, repeat injuries for both nibble away at their confidence and can also do the same for those around them.

Meanwhile, the younger legs of men like Milner-Skudder, Waisake Naholo and Charles Piutau, which carry an even more imaginative range of skills, must be massively disconcerting to opponents.

Who saw that coming from Milner-Skudder at the Cake Tin?

We have seen the shimmy and stutter before, the crosskick and swerve but here were some new moves which caused mega-agitation in the Brumbies defence. The rolling offload, the feint, pop-kick and regather - Energy=MS at the double

For now, 17 Hurricanes and Highlanders face their test in the Super 15 final before those picked in the All Blacks for the trip to Samoa, get first dibs at showing their international style.

Injury permitting, Dagg, Piutau and maybe utility Colin Slade will be the back three in Apia and they'll need to be right on the money to suggest they are better than those doing the business for the Canes or Highlanders.