Piutau unlucky to be omitted from Cup squad

Charles Piutau has lost out to rookies Nehe Milner-Skudder and Waisake Naholo. Photo / Getty Images

We all have blokes we'd like to see in the All Blacks.

Usually those judgments come at the end of the Super Rugby series when they have put in a concerted shift but miss the cut when others who've not done much get their All Black selection stamped again.

This time, I'm astonished an All Black like Charles Piutau, who has performed with distinction in his three tests this year and in previous seasons, has missed the cut. He was one of a few who fronted against Samoa, worked hard against Argentina and hit the high spots against the Boks too.

It's the solitary headscratcher about the 31 picked to shoot for the Webb Ellis Cup again. There are a few players who would not get my immediate vote, but none like Piutau who would be near the top of my list. His temperament is strong, he plays on either wing for the All Blacks and can cover fullback where he is one of the few from the Blues to have played with any merit this season.

Now Piutau has lost out to rookies Nehe Milner-Skudder and Waisake Naholo who were both sharp in Super Rugby but have barely started in test rugby. One had to be picked yet both have faced leg problems and Naholo is not going to be fit until the third game.

Both play on the right wing too, and only there in Naholo's case, while Piutau can cover either flank and has a strong boot, an ability under the high ball and high workrate which is mandatory in the modern game.

He hasn't lost his mojo like Israel Dagg and Cory Jane, who have been repeatedly nailed by injury this year and have had very little rugby to show they are ready. Piutau has also suffered knee problems and bounced back each time yet could not make the cut.

So if everyone survives training, illness and other hurdles, the All Blacks will have Ben Smith at fullback, Milner-Skudder on the right wing and Julian Savea on the left wing for their first game against Argentina. We'll have to hope Savea has found some of his old spark which also went awol after Super Rugby.

Two years ago, the All Black selectors identified Piutau as a player of special talents and he has responded with a string of solid work. He is versatile enough, which seems to be one of the selection criteria, to play wing, fullback and could fill in at centre and those qualities offer a range of cover on the park or from the bench.