AUCKLAND – All Blacks Coach Steve Hansen has announced New Zealand’s 31-man Rugby World Cup squad including the miraculously cured winger Waisake Naholo.
The Fijian-born back broke his leg in his debut outing for the All Blacks against Argentina in the Rugby Championship. However, since being ruled out of the Rugby World Cup, Naholo sought traditional healing methods in his native Fiji. And it’s seemingly paid off for the 24 year old who finds himself on the plane to the UK on the back of a stellar Super Rugby season.
Naholo will line up in the back line alongside fellow newcomer Nehe Milner Scudder who must be pinching himself after enjoying a dream run in his first year of Super Rugby as well as some stunning performances in the test arena.
On top of a couple notable inclusions and exclusions, the side has been relatively set in stone for the past six weeks. Surprising selections include the aforementioned Naholo, back-rower Liam Messam and Tawera Kerr-Barlow with the latter being told 11 months ago that he would miss the World Cup through injury.
There are a number of notable exclusions which shows Steve Hansen and co’s willingness to choose the best team on form to defend their trophy in the UK. Israel Dagg, Charles Piutau and Hika Elliot can all count themselves unlucky, especially with Israel Dagg being a star performer for New Zealand at the last World Cup.
Hookers: Dane Coles, Keven Mealamu, Codie Taylor
Props: Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Tony Woodcock
Locks: Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Samuel Whitelock
Loose forwards: Sam Cane, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw – captain, Liam Messam, Kieran Read, Victor Vito
Halfbacks: Tawera Kerr-Barlow, TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith
First five-eighths: Beauden Barrett, Daniel Carter, Colin Slade
Midfielders: Malakai Fekitoa, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams
Outside backs: Nehe Milner-Skudder, Julian Savea, Ben Smith, Waisake Naholo