Ben Lam's name wasn't read out this morning when the All Blacks announced their squad for the upcoming June series against France.
With 14 tries from 11 games of Super Rugby this season, he is certainly the unluckiest man in the country.
The Hurricanes winger has had a stellar startthis year, leading the Super Rugby try-scoring charts, and being well on track to blow away teammate Ngani Laumape's 15 try record.
Lam averages a try less than every 60 minutes for the Hurricanes this season, and put in another impressive effort against the Reds on Friday. He accrued 80 metres from 13 runs, beat nine defenders, made four clean breaks and scored two tries in the Hurricanes' 38-34 victory.
Lam's made 686 metres from 83 runs this whole season, as well as beating 32 defenders, making 19 clean breaks and offloading the ball 11 times.
Ben Lam speeds past Damian McKenzie and Brodie Retallick. Photo / Photosport
However, it wasn't enough for All Blacks selection, with Hurricanes teammates Jordie Barrett and Nehe Milner-Skudder given the nod ahead of Lam, with Rieko Ioane, Waisake Naholo and Ben Smith filling in the remainder of the outside backs.
Ioane was a shoo-in following his form in the black jersey last season and the All Blacks also tend to pick a big, tackle-busting flyer on the wing, hence Naholo's selection.
Barrett and Smith are both primarily fullbacks that can cover any number of positions in the backline - they were always going to make the squad.
