24.
Position
: Wing
Calling card:
Speed
Path:
Got notice as by winning a North Island sprint silver medal and making the Wanganui rep rugby side
as a schoolboy. Lured north by then Blues head coach John Kirwan in 2012, then ignored. His stepping stones included the New Zealand under-20s, national sevens team, and Taranaki. Naholo has developed in leaps and bounds in his first season with the Highlanders, and the All Blacks extricated him from a French club contract.
Prospects:
Lack of utility value counts against him. The one, outright specialist wing spot is tied up by Julian Savea. May need a few lucky breaks and a change to the All Blacks' current selection philosophies.
What to watch:
How he handles the high ball and kick chase. We know he can run, but the All Blacks demand so much more.
Born:
Taihape.
Age:
24
Position:
Fullback/wing
Calling card:
Every skill under the sun.
Path:
In his first Super Rugby season. There is something in the genes - uncle George Skudder and cousin Buff Milner were brief All Blacks. Spent formative years with powerhouse Sydney league club Canterbury in the under-20 team alongside the likes of blockbusting Kiwis Sam Kasiano and Martin Taupau. Played touch and for Manawatu before the Hurricanes took him under their wing last year.
Milner-Skudder in the 2010 NRL media guide
Prospects:
Has superstar written all over him. Plays wing and fullback which helps. The crowd says get him while he's hot...the All Blacks will be more cautious in a World Cup year.
What to watch:
Ditto for Naholo. High balls and kick chasing.
LIMA SOPOAGA (Highlanders)
Born:
Wellington
Age:
24
Position:
First five-eighth
Calling card:
Hanging in there.
Path:
A schoolboy star who has taken time to flourish. By his own judgement, was at the last chance saloon Super Rugby-wise but has repaid the faith shown by Highlanders boss Jamie Joseph. After leaving Wellington for Southland his career is finally moving north.
Prospects:
He's in the frame thanks to Aaron Cruden's injury but remains an outside World Cup prospect, depending on whether the All Blacks take four first five-eighths. Even then, unlikely to get much World Cup action.
What to watch:
Goalkicking. It's crucial at the World Cup.
Born:
Kaitaia
Age:
27
Position:
Lock
Calling card:
Ball playing skills.
Path:
Out of Gisborne, national age grade teams and then the school of hard knocks with Canterbury and Taranaki. It has all come together this year for Broadhurst, who has flung himself into the fray with the Hurricanes like a man on a mission this season.
Prospects:
On Super Rugby form, has overtaken team mate Jeremy Thrush as the next cab off the rank with Patrick Tuipulotu off the scene because of a season-ending injury. Do the selectors believe his unique skills are test-adaptable? Broadhurst helps the Hurricanes flow as a first receiver who gets over defenders and releases the ball.
What to watch:
The set pieces...not a Hurricanes' strength.
Born:
Levin
Age:
24
Position:
Hooker
Calling card:
A bolter from the Crusaders' famed tight five school.
Path:
New Zealand Juniors and Maori.
Prospects:
Has everything to play for in a problem position and the suspicion remains the selectors were forced to pick Hika Elliot despite inner doubts based on previous experience.
What to watch:
Are the All Blacks on to a gem or clutching at straws? Everything starts at the set piece for a test hooker.
