Richard Kahui: Shame Lote's not Stephen Moore's size...It was almost too good to be true, but Graham Henry couldn’t resist following his horrible tendencies and chucking in a player out of position.
Disregarded Chiefs centre Richard Kahui has been chosen to replace Leon MacDonald in the All-Blacks XV to face the Wallabies in Auckland.
Australian coach, Robbie Deans was stunned by the decision to pit Kahui up against Lote Tuqiri on the right flank.
“I’m not privy to the detail in terms of who’s available and who’s not and all of those permutations.”
We’ll give you a hand Dingo.
Rudi Wulf and Anthony Tuitavake must be wondering what they’ve done wrong. They’ve been solid if unspectacular, but only Dan Carter has hit the standards.
There are others too, including 2008 Super 14 top try scorer Lelia Masaga or Crusaders wing cum full-back Scott Hamilton - a like for like replacement for MacDonald - but neither gets a look in.
New Zealand fans have been willing to give the All-Blacks coaching regime another go, but conceding Kahui will be “fine” on the wing doesn’t fill you with too much confidence.
No one doubts his talent. He’s had a successful full season at centre and now has only two days to turn himself into a world class wing - against one of the most lethal in the business.
Wings are wings, centres are centres, fly-halves are fly-halves - full stop Graham.