All Blacks at the Rugby World Cup: Naholo has teammates scrambling

Reporter·NZ Herald·

30 Sep, 2015 03:23 PM3 mins to read

Gregor Paul and Patrick McKendry are in Cardiff with the All Blacks and give their opinion and analysis on the AB's changes for the Georgia Rugby World Cup match. Sonny Bill Williams, Charlie Faumuina and Wyatt Crockett all find themselves in a starting XV that remains - everywhere else - absolutely the top side. Their form has been impressive in the first two games while the men they respectively replace - Ma'a Nonu, Owen Franks and Tony Woodcock - have either been quiet or a little bit off where they were expected to be.

All Blacks wing Waisake Naholo is ready for the final stage in his recovery from a broken leg - getting on to the playing field - and if his form in training is any indication he shouldn't have too many problems finding his feet in his second test.

In preparing for Saturday morning's World Cup pool match against Georgia at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, Naholo, back from a cracked fibula suffered on debut against Argentina in Christchurch in July, has been causing problems for his teammates with his unique ability to beat defenders, according to coach Steve Hansen.

"Watching him train this week has been pleasurable because a few people have [asked] 'where's he gone?'," Hansen said. "I think a couple of the boys took a torch back to training last night to find out where he went because they still don't know where he's gone.

"To have a guy who was probably the player of Super Rugby - the top try scorer, gives us real genuine pace and ability to beat people - it's exciting to have someone like that in your group and to have him out on the track after the disappointment of thinking maybe we weren't going to be able to select him, to get a second chance, is wonderful."

For Naholo, who replaces Nehe Milner-Skudder in the No14 jersey, the anxiety is slowly building, but that's not unusual for the Highlanders player who scored 13 tries for the reigning champions this year.

"I'm always nervous before every game," he said. "Even before this morning's walk-through I was a bit nervous. It's something I expect."

Another All Black back relishing his opportunity is Sonny Bill Williams, who retains his place in the No12 jersey due to Ma'a Nonu's minor shoulder injury suffered while making a tackle at training on Monday NZT.

Chiefs midfielder Williams has been the All Blacks' form back so far with the impact off the bench against Argentina at Wembley and performance starting against Namibia, and said being injury-free had helped put him in the right frame of mind.

"Not just physically, mentally, I feel in a really great place," he said.

"Obviously picking up a few niggles during Super Rugby this year wasn't ideal but now I'm feeling strong and fit and that helps with the mental side of things as well."

All Blacks team to play Georgia at Millennium Stadium, kick-off 8am Saturday:

15. Ben Smith
14. Waisake Naholo
13. Conrad Smith
12. Sonny Bill Williams
11. Julian Savea
10. Dan Carter
9. Aaron Smith
8. Kieran Read
7. Richie McCaw (c)
6. Jerome Kaino
5. Sam Whitelock
4. Brodie Retallick
3. Charlie Faumuina
2. Dane Coles
1. Wyatt Crockett

Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Owen Franks, Victor Vito, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, TJ Perenara, Malakai Fekitoa.