..Nehe Milner-Skudder's World Cup chance is expected to arrive in Sydney this weekend.
The Manawatu and Hurricanes utility could follow Lima Sopoaga's lead and be thrown a start in the biggest occasion of his career.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen showed in Sopoaga's case he is not afraid to test rookies in extreme pressure. With just two tests before the World Cup, the All Blacks must be confident each player selected in the final 31-man squad can cope in any situation.
Hurricanes utility Nehe Milner-Skudder is expected to make his test debut on the right wing against the Wallabies in Sydney on Saturday night.
Sopoaga certainly took his chance, continuing the compelling form he displayed with the Highlanders. Now Milner-Skudder may be next to benefit from that policy in Saturday's Rugby Championship decider against the in-form Wallabies.
Charles Piutau made a big play in recent weeks but, with Cory Jane still nursing a high ankle sprain, the ring wing spot is seemingly up for grabs. Milner-Skudder was always going to get a chance; now he must prove he deserves inclusion.
Like Sopoaga at Ellis Park, Hansen is likely to ensure the 24-year-old is surrounded by plenty of experience in Sydney.
The Bledisloe Cup is treasured dearly by the All Blacks, as is their 10-match winning run over the Wallabies, and it's expected they will field close to their full-strength line-up to reflect those intentions.
Hurricanes captain Conrad Smith will provide a familiar, calming influence inside Milner-Skudder at centre and fellow team-mate Julian Savea could make his first appearance of the year for the All Blacks on his favoured left wing.
Smith is confident Milner-Skudder is ready to make the most of his test debut after recovering from a niggly rib complaint.
"He had a few niggles he had to sort out but he's dealt with that. Last year the coaches at the Hurricanes were keen to give him a run but he has been hampered by injuries. He knows he had to get his body right so he's showed a lot patience and it's been much the same here. He's sat back and done everything he needed to do. I know if given an opportunity he'll take it."
Milner-Skudder's debut will be one of the more keenly anticipated. His unique skill set allows him to create space and beat players with ease at times. Running off the likes of Sonny Bill Williams, he could be even more lethal. But his height - 1.8m - is sure to be tested under the high ball.
"He is a little bit different and that's what the coaches within this environment have seen and that's why they're keen to give him a shot," Smith said. "He's impressed me within the Hurricanes with the way he plays and he's got a smart head on him. He reads the game particularly well so he's got a big future."
From a personal perspective, Smith is relishing the prospect of confronting Matt Giteau and Tevita Kuridrani in what will be his final test in Australia. He noted Giteau added a different dimension to the Wallabies backline and suggested they were one of the more difficult to contain in world rugby.
"I haven't played Giteau for a while. Seeing the time he's had back in the Wallabies he's a wonderfully gifted player. He's spent a bit of time a 10 so he has that kick, pass, run skill set. It will be enjoyable to come up against him again and Kuridrani has been one of the form centres the last couple of seasons. He's great with ball in hand and a capable defender too.
"For a centre and defensively, they're a team I respect probably just as much if not more than other team we play against."
Containing Israel Folau's threat with ball in hand had also been a focus of discussion for the All Blacks this week.
"A lot of his opportunities come from the ones you give him," Smith said. "We've talked a bit about our kicking. You don't want to give him counter attacking chances because he's very good from that situation. Outside of that you want to limit the ball their whole backline gets."
- Stuff
