It was a mixed bag on the weekend for the two Whanganui international rugby exports who made their first-class debuts while still at school in this town.
Waisake Naholo celebrated his All Blacks comeback with two tries in the new-look squad's 39-21 win over a brave and inventive Wales at Eden Park.
While it was not a perfect match for Naholo with some fumbles and positional issues, the quick finisher delivered when it counted - scorching on to an inside ball from Aaron Cruden after Ben Smith's excellent bomb disposal and dash to coast under the posts.
Then, in the second half from a quick tap, Naholo burrowed his way through three Welshmen for the try that gave the All Blacks back the lead which they did not relinquish.
A few hours later in Manchester, England, the spotlight was on Stephen Perofeta as the young man took over the starting No10 berth for the New Zealand Under-20s in their Junior World Cup game against Ireland.