RWC: Milner-Skudder set to shine

Little man, fast feet, big confidence - Nehe Milner-Skudder has almost certainly won the No14 jersey for the All Blacks' quarter-final next weekend and he can't wait.

At 90kg he is one of the smallest wings at this World Cup, but with his two tries and excellent all-round performance against Tonga at St James' Park, he is showing that bigger isn't necessarily better.

He showed his liking for the big occasion on debut against Australia in Sydney in August when he scored two tries in a rare All Blacks' defeat, and, after a slightly nervous performance in his first match of the World Cup against Argentina, appears to be the right man for the right wing job against either France or Ireland in Cardiff.

His rival for the jersey, Waisake Naholo, in his second test back from a leg fracture, isn't in the same sort of form. He looked to get involved before he was replaced in the second half, but his dropping of Dan Carter's pass when he was in space with a two-man overlap was systematic of his lack of timing.

"I had quite a lot of fun out there tonight," the 24-year-old Milner-Skudder said. "It was special being alongside Skux - Ma'a - for his 100th. He's a legend of the game and he's been massive for me this year at the Canes. Coming into this environment, he's helped me out hugely so it was an awesome occasion to be a part of."

"We've got some crazy talent in the back three - some pretty good firepower - so if it comes my way I'd be happy to take it," he said of a potential starting role at the Millennium Stadium. "Another opportunity to play in the black jersey - I'm loving every minute of it."

Milner-Skudder's 134m with the ball were easily the best of any player in the match (Ben Smith was next best with 70m) and if he is a fan of Nonu's then the feeling is mutual.

"He's going well," Nonu said. "He's flourishing into a nice player. He copes really well with the intensity of All Black rugby so he's exciting to watch. Give him some space and he can do anything."

Asked if he was constantly surprised at Milner-Skudder's ability to get out of tight situations with his footwork, Nonu said: "I've seen it before at training and this year at the Canes. He's one of those guys who is really humble and just really nippy so it's great to have him on our side."