Saili, like Halai, has been an unfulfilled talent since he made his debut for the Blues in 2012 and had such a stellar following year he was picked for two All Black tests.
His form after that has been erratic with injury, then the late addition of Ma'a Nonu to the Blues last season, biting into his season. Saili has not threatened a wider All Black squad since, not when they have the choice of Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams, Ryan Crotty, Daniel Carter and Malakai Fekitoa at second five-eighths.
The 24-year-old is part of the wider malaise at the Blues where he'll put on several strong plays and then spoil them with some basic mistake or poor choice. He has some marvellous touches but his game has struggled to move to another level.
Saili has dancing feet and the sort of quickstep moves that leave inattentive or awkward defenders flailing at his disappearing frame. He's a nuggety defender and forceful in the important midfield collisions.
His instincts are about attack but those impulses can narrow his vision and restrict the Blues' ambition. He needs to work on greater variety in his game to extract more benefit for the team.
If he'd had an experienced five-eighths and centre to mentor him at the Blues, Saili's talent might have got the guidance it needed.
He will shoot away to a two-year deal at Munster where his attacking skills and left foot punt are likely to be gold in the gloom at Thomond Park.
