Patrick McKendry: Sopoaga should go to World Cup

Lima Sopoaga responds well under pressure. Photo / Getty Images

Sopoaga, Milner-Skudder and Taylor may have done enough to tour, writes Patrick McKendry.

The final pieces of the World Cup puzzle are falling into place.

All Black coach Steve Hansen has kept his messages to the media to a minimum in terms of his plans for the 31-player squad, but there are some which have slipped out recently and three young players in particular may be fancying their chances of going on their first significant overseas rugby tour.

First five Lima Sopoaga, wing Nehe Milner-Skudder and hooker Codie Taylor - three 24-year-olds - have every chance of making the squad when it is announced in Wellington on August 30.

I initially didn't think there was a place for Sopoaga in the squad despite his excellence on debut against the Springboks in Johannesburg - his only appearance for the All Blacks to date - but I'm having second thoughts. He should go as Dan Carter's back-up because of the way he ran the game at Ellis Park, won 27-20 by the visitors, despite the big and hostile crowd and high-altitude conditions.

The other big factor in his favour is the way he responded in the previous biggest game of his career - the Highlanders' Super Rugby final victory over the Hurricanes in Wellington in July when he dominated his No10 rival Beauden Barrett. By contrast, Barrett - a talented player - looked nervous and unable to respond to the occasion.

Neither Barrett nor Slade has been used at first five by the All Black selectors this year, and that's another clue to their thinking. Barrett will almost certainly go as fullback/first-five cover, but it may be that Slade, as well as his Crusaders teammate Israel Dagg, misses out.

Right wing Milner-Skudder, who scored two tries on debut in Sydney and followed it up at Eden Park with another strong display, must make the trip. Not only is he a point of difference in terms of his playing style - all fast feet, vision and a knack for the tryline, a nice counterpoint to the more powerful Julian Savea and Charles Piutau - but he, like Sopoaga before him, has shown uncanny composure at this level.

Not everyone can shine on the international stage with all the expectations that brings, but Sopoaga and Milner-Skudder have and that's a credit to them as well as the All Black management, including mental skills guru Gilbert Enoka.

Hansen has admitted another selection issue is who goes as the third hooker behind Dane Coles and Keven Mealamu, and in my mind that has to be Taylor. Hika Elliot is the other player in the mix, but Taylor has performed so well off the bench that he deserves to go.

I've also become a fan of Hansen's idea of taking only three specialist locks - which means Victor Vito is included at the expense of Jeremy Thrush.

However, taking only two halfbacks is a step too far. Tawera Kerr-Barlow has to go as back-up to Aaron Smith and TJ Perenara following his return from injury.

Possible World Cup squad

Backs
Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Dan Carter, Beauden Barrett, Lima Sopoaga, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Malakai Fekitoa, Sonny Bill Williams, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Julian Savea, Ben Smith, Charles Piutau.

Forwards
Owen Franks, Nepo Laulala, Tony Woodcock, Ben Franks, Wyatt Crockett, Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Keven Mealamu, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Richie McCaw, Kieran Read, Jerome Kaino, Sam Cane, Liam Messam, Victor Vito.