Highlanders No. 10 Lima Sopoaga is the big winner in the Herald readers' vote on picking an All Black bolter in this World Cup year. Hurricanes flanker Ardie Savea is a clear but distant second.
With almost 1500 votes counted, Sopoaga has gained 26 per cent of support.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has given a signal that Sopoaga is on the selectors' radar, while saying none of the outside choices had yet to play under the pressure of finals football this season. That was when the All Blacks would have a clearer idea about who had the right stuff, and the test against Samoa will do likewise. The All Blacks will take a massive squad to Apia, and there should be gaps aplenty for newcomers with players from the Super Rugby final not included.
No matter what the Highlanders do, they go into each new season as unfancied and Sopoaga has played a big part in guiding them into contention. He has the built-in advantage of working with star test halfback Aaron Smith should he get a test call up when Smith is playing. So does Sopoaga have the head for greater heights?
Savea was the first official All Blacks apprentice when he was picked as an add-on for the end of year tour in 2013. The flying Savea gives defenders nightmares but there are rising, more traditional opensides led by test regular Sam Cane from the Chiefs and Crusader Matt Todd. Savea needs to prove he can come up trumps in a World Cup dogfight.
