Sopoaga in the spotlight
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Aaron Cruden's World Cup hopes have been diminished severely, while Highlanders in-form flyhalf Lima Sopoaga has played himself into All Blacks' contention.
With Cruden's injury, the attention has shifted in the last few days to who would be a suitable replacement for him in the New Zealand squad.
Sopoaga has been the general for the Highlanders and he seems to tick all the right boxes for an All Black No.10.
Beauden Barret, Colin Slade and Dan Carter are still the likely candidates that will be named in the World Cup squad, but All Black selector Grant Fox said he is open to others putting their hands up that perform in Super Rugby.
"We haven't got much time at the end of the day, someone might get an opportunity," Fox told RadioSport.
"There's another guy in particular who is playing well in Lima Sopoaga.
"He [Sopoaga] quite possibly at this point in time, is the form flyhalf of our teams in the competition.
"There's a young guy called Damien McKenzie, it's probably a little early for him yet but he's a real talent," he said.
McKenzie is a utility back for the Chiefs, and has been showing some serious potential in recent Super Rugby games. He is certainly one to watch for the future.
The All Blacks first fixture at the World Cup is on September 20 against Argentina.
Source: RadioSport.
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