Waisake Naholo's trip to Fiji to seek a traditional remedy to help his broken leg has paid off with selection to the All Blacks World Cup squad.
Naholo's selection despite a broken leg suffered during his test debut against Argentina in Christchurch on July 17 is one of the big storylines of the 31-player squad which will look to defend their title in England starting on September 20.
Gregor Paul: The All Blacks
Kieran Read
It was no coincidence that the All Blacks enjoyed their first perfect season in the year Kieran Read was crowned World Player of the Year.
The captain-in-waiting brings an enormous range of skills that give the All Blacks the ability to do things no other side can match. Watch him lurk wide and use his offloading to draw the defence. He'll also be a superb link man and support runner without shirking any of his core duties.
The bottom line is this - if the All Blacks are going to be at another level, they need Read to take them there. He can get through more work than any other No 8 in the world game, and have influence in more parts of the field.
That's the incredible quality of Read - he can turn a game with a crunching tackle close to a ruck and then make a stunning offload in between the tramlines.
Waisake Naholo
There's a reason the selectors concluded that the risk of taking this guy to England while he's still injured is worth the reward. At Super Rugby level at least, he's shown himself to be the sort of miracle finisher and opportunistic player the All Blacks feel they will need at this tournament. His ability to convert non-opportunities is quite stunning and it's a rock solid bet that he is going to score at least one, if not more, sensational tries that only he could have scored. And that's critical at a World Cup where defences will dominate and opportunities are rare.
Waisake Naholo. Photo / Getty Images
The big advantage Naholo may have is that most opponents are going to be a little wary of the threat posed by Julian Savea and may underestimate the ability of the young Fijian.
Dane Coles
Dane Coles. Photo / Greg Bowker
The Hurricanes hooker has become one of those invaluable players who inspires those around him. His core skills are immaculate and a huge part of the package but what Coles has done this year is score two wonder tries that have told his teammates they are part of a special team with special players. It's fairly demoralising for opponents when they see a hooker run like an outside back and score spectacular long range tries as Coles has twice done this year. It emphasises this idea that the All Blacks have a deeper and more substantial range of skills than everyone else.
It's a huge psychological advantage to the All Blacks that they have a hooker who is more gifted than many midfielders and Coles will show the full extent of his talent in England.
He was little used and largely quiet in the five pre-World Cup tests, but Beauden Barrett is expected to feature heavily at the tournament proper. The All Blacks will put him on the field for the closing 20-30 minutes of most tests - knowing that he has an outrageous set of skills that can change the momentum quickly. He's shown an uncanny ability to score and create tries late in the game.
Barrett is a game changer - the sort of player who will shift the All Blacks from third gear to fifth.
He's also a decision-maker and kicker and that will be key at the World Cup. The All Blacks haven't shown it yet, but they will use two first-fives in the closing stages to try to nullify the effects of rush defences.
Charlie Faumuina
Charlie Faumuina. Photo / Getty Images
The All Blacks have missed the big man. They have missed his ball carrying power, tackling power and ability to play with the ball. Faumuina is the forward version of Barrett - he comes off the bench and lifts the intensity of the performance.
Last year against England was the best example - he gave a 35 minute master-class in total rugby. He was the man England couldn't put down when he had the ball and nor could they budge him at the scrum.
World Cup games are going to go to the wire and Faumuina is going to have a huge influence in the final quarter of most tests. What he also offers is comfort on the ball and an ability to link the play. Faumuina is a distributor and dancer and the space he finds and then exploits can often be critical to the All Blacks being able to build momentum.
Wynne Gray: The others
Paul O'Connell - Ireland
Paul O'Connell of Ireland. Photo / Getty Images
Turns 36 in the week of the World Cup final as Ireland look to advance further than they have in seven previous tournaments. The Munster man was a late starter at rugby but is past the 100 caps for his country and after 15 seasons with his club and three tours with the Lions, has signed up for a couple more years with Toulon. Has been through a catalogue of injuries but brings the mental starch which Ireland relied on in the pack when Brian O'Driscoll commanded the backline. Is one of the pillars in the side for new coach Joe Schmidt, where his set piece work and relentless contributions around the field are an example for all. He is the iron fist in the velvet glove, the marathon man in the dinner suit, the nerve centre of Ireland's drive for greater success.
Israel Folau - Australia
Israel Folau of the Wallabies. Photo / Getty Images
Has won the John Eales Medal as the Wallabies' most valuable player for the second time in three years since he switched codes. A prodigious talent, Folau began his professional sporting life in the NRL, switched to the AFL and then to rugby in 2013. Began on the wing before he moved to fullback where his size, pace and aerial skills have made him a dominant force in that role. His kicking game and security on defence are rock-solid, while three seasons in rugby have taught Folau to scan the field much better for mismatches. He is devastating on phase plays where he either smashes through the line or can offload once he attracts defenders. Calm and loves the big stage - has ideal temperament for a World Cup.
Chris Robshaw - England
Chris Robshaw of England. Photo / Getty Images
Another loose forward who captains his national side. Missed the last World Cup in a tight selection call but has led England since 2012, including that 38-21 victory against the All Blacks, and is third behind Will Carling and Martin Johnson on the list of most games as English captain. Much admired by coach Stuart Lancaster for his play and ability to lead his men, Robshaw doesn't stand out as a massive personality but he is a workaholic player. He's 1.88m and 110kg and can be used on either side of the scrum. His work rate is his modus operandi where he excels in support play, running lines, tackling accuracy and ability to compete at the breakdown. Often takes the ball as first receiver in phase play where he carts the ball up or switches the point of attack.
Sam Warburton - Wales
Wales captain Sam Warburton. Photo / Getty Images
Ready to captain Wales through a second World Cup and will turn only 27 in the middle of the tournament. Born in Wales to British parents with a Kennedy-Warburton surname which is commonly contracted, he plays openside flanker and has been coach Warren Gatland's go-to leader since 2011. Trialled with Cardiff City at 14 before switching to rugby and playing through all the grades for Wales. Distinguished start to the last World Cup with his turnovers, steals and high tackle counts and continued that form in the quarter-final victory against Ireland. Sent off for a dangerous tip tackle after 18 minutes of the semi before Wales wilted against France, and later admitted his mistake. Has been worried about knee and shoulder injuries since, but captained the Lions in their 2013 series triumph and is Wales' most experienced captain.
Duane Vermeulen of South Africa. Photo / Getty Images
He's on the Springbok plane, or he was at the latest count after he won his pre-tournament sprint to pass a medical after neck surgery in June. The 29-year-old was a huge part of the Boks' work last season until repeat problems this season sent the No 8 to surgery. A late starter in tests, he debuted in 2012 when coach Heyneke Meyer went for his all-round skill and hard work ahead of a few flashy competitors. Has played 29 tests since, where his ball-carrying power has been one of the Springbok weapons to get them across the gain line while his rugged defence and ability to latch on to possession at the breakdown have been significant. Was the Springboks player of the year in 2014 and a nominee for world player of the year and will need to reproduce that form for the Boks to challenge at this World Cup.
