Nehe Milner-Sukker can fire the All Blacks charge
If there is a touch of the Christian Cullen, below, about the way New Zealand‘s latest wing sensation sets about his business – the pace, footwork, stepping and chipping ability – there is a good reason for that.
“Christian Cullen is the guy I used to like,” Milner-Skudder told The Rugby Paper, fresh from his latest try-double in Thursday’s 58-14 win over Namibia, bringing his tally to four tries in four matches since his All Blacks‘ debut in August.
“I was a wee lad at the time but I actually had a Christian Cullen teddy bear with a Hurricanes No.15 on the back, so I’d carry that around the house with me. He was the guy I looked up to so I guess there are similarities in how we play.
“With not being the biggest fella, I’ve got to find other ways to get around defences otherwise I’ll just get rag-dolled, so I prefer to use my feet and try to step people, or chip over the top.
“Another guy I really liked was Benji Marshall. He’s a hot-stepper from Rugby League and when he came on the scene in the NRL, me and my brother used to love watching him cut things up. I just love having a crack like that.”
Having a crack has served Milner-Skudder well. A stellar first Super Rugby campaign for the Hurricanes saw him called into the All Blacks’ training squad, and two tries on debut against Australia sealed his World Cup place.
“I’m still pinching myself to be honest,” says the Taihape-born 24-year-old, who dabbled in Rugby League with Sydney‘s Canterbury Bulldogs in 2009 and 2010 before returning to New Zealand to star for the Manawatu Turbos.
“With the history of the All Blacks and the amount of quality players we have, it’s hard to compare yourself with some of those guys, but I’m loving it at the moment and it’s awesome being here.
On his meteoric rise to prominence, Milner-Skudder added: “It’s come out of nowhere really, but I’ve had outstanding players alongside me at the Hurricanes in the likes of Conrad Smith and Ma’a Nonu.
“The whole backline and even the forward pack really fronted up this year and I managed to express myself off the back of their work. They put it on a platter for me and I’ve just managed to make the most of it.
“We’ve had a good start by beating Argentina and Namibia, now we’ll look forward to Georgia.”
Modest as well as exceptionally gifted. Cullen would be proud.
NEALE HARVEY
