Rugby fans, gather around! The All Blacks are gearing up for their upcoming tour, and the excitement is palpable. With a new coaching staff led by Dave Rennie, the team is poised for a fresh start. But who will make the cut for the initial squad? Two former All Blacks, Jeff Wilson and Stephen Donald, have weighed in with their picks for potential 'bolters'.
Wilson, a former All Black himself, believes that the first squad of the year will be a tight-knit group, with few debutants. However, he has his eye on one player who could be a dark horse for the team: Anton Segner, a loose forward for the Blues. Wilson praises Segner's versatility, highlighting his ability to excel in multiple positions and his recent impressive performances.
"Anton Segner is the big mover for me over the last few weeks," Wilson said. "Multiple positions, getting some real good experience. When they've needed him to step up, he's stepped up."
What sets Segner apart, according to Wilson, is his all-around skills. "You’re seeing all of the skills here, and that’s what I love about it," Wilson noted. "The fact you’re talking ball carry, you’re talking about line outs, and he 100% loves getting on the ball, he loved getting and getting possession."
Wilson predicts that Segner will be a key player in the upcoming months, especially with the absence of Dalton Papali'i and Hoskins Sotutu. "Keep an eye on him over the next month or so," Wilson advised. "If he continues to do what he’s doing, they’re going to play him at six I would say when everyone’s fit."
Stephen Donald, a World Cup-winning first-five, also has a potential bolter in mind: Xavier Numia, a prop for the Hurricanes. Donald believes that Numia's talent was almost overlooked due to an injury, but he's confident that the player will get his chance this year.
"Xavier Numia for me, from the Hurricanes couple of years ago," Donald said. "I think had it been not for an injury, he would have already been an All Black. This year, as they’ll cast in the net a bit wider, he will get his opportunity."
Donald highlights Numia's scrummaging skills and his physicality around the park. "He’s a good scrummager, he’s getting scrum penalties against seasoned pros up there, but he’s incredible around the park. He’s very physical defensively," Donald explained.
In summary, Wilson and Donald's picks for potential bolters showcase the depth of talent in New Zealand rugby. With the All Blacks' tour on the horizon, fans can expect exciting developments and a fresh dynamic within the team. As the season unfolds, keep an eye on these players, as they might just surprise us all!
