Rugby: 6 All Blacks on the rise

ODT Online rugby writer Jeff Cheshire looks at six All Blacks whose star is rising.

Julian Savea

Savea must now rate as the most feared winger in world rugby and has come a long way over the past few years.

After starring for the Baby Blacks, he emerged on the Super Rugby scene as a big, fast, strong player, who acted as a very good finisher. His skill level was not great though, being weak under the high ball and did not possess much of a kicking game.

He has obviously worked extremely hard though. Since bursting onto the world scene in 2012, his catching game has improved beyond measure to the point that he is now safe under a high ball.

His kicking game is improving too, both in clearing and in delivering small chips, as was seen on Saturday night. Likewise, he is no longer solely a finisher on attack. He can now come into the line and attract defenders. When covered well on the wing, he will bring the ball back in-field, committing multiple defenders and staying on his feet long enough to allow the support to catch up.

In space he is becoming a nightmare to stop and must now rate as the most dangerous attacking weapon since Jonah Lomu. Like the rest of the players on this list, the good news is that he will only get better too.

Aaron Smith

There is no question Smith has raised his game this year. Initially he was picked for the All Blacks because of a fast pass which gave the backs quick ball and space to work with. Since then he has worked on his running and kicking game, while maturing in his organisation and decision-making.

Now he is a player who is genuinely threatening in all facets of the game. He can snipe to take a gap and puts in plenty of effort in support and runs good lines to often finish off, or be a link man, in open play.

With the Highlanders this year he played out of his skin for much of the season and he has carried this on in the black jersey. He is now clearly the best halfback in New Zealand and is perhaps even the best in the world.

Dane Coles

Hooker was a real problem position this time 12 months ago. Keven Mealamu and Andrew Hore were both getting older and there was no clear replacement.

Depth still remains an issue, but Coles has emerged as the definite first-choice hooker after some top performances this year. He is showing more in the tight now, working hard defensively in close, making a lot of tackles and being more involved. This comes in addition to his strong, fast running game and the good support-play that helped him get into the All Blacks in the first place.

Along with this, his discipline has improved from a few years ago, while he is one of the best lineout throwers in the country. Looking ahead to next year and beyond, it is a relief to know that there is at least one world-class hooker to take over from the old guard.

Brodie Retallick

The man is a machine and just keeps getting better and better. Retallick was the All Blacks' best player this weekend against the Wallabies, getting through a mountain of work, providing physicality and popping up in the open too.

He was initially picked as a young player who had a huge motor, with a big frame, adding physicality and a reasonable skill set for a tight forward. Now he has become genuinely world-class in each of these categories.

No one makes more cleanouts on a regular basis than Retallick. He just never stops and that he is becoming more prominent in the open makes him even more of a threat to the opposition.

Along with Sam Whitelock he now forms the best locking duo in world rugby, one which is destined to remain together for a few years yet and will only get better.

Ryan Crotty

There were question marks raised during the week over whether Crotty was up to it at this level, but he more answered his critics.

He played in a similar vein to how he does with the Crusaders, but benefited from being outside a dynamic nine-ten pairing and a dominant forward pack. The angles he ran on attack were good and allowed him to break the line and threaten with ball in hand, while defensively he was always safe.

It is hard to find too many faults in his game and now that he has shown himself capable of playing at this level, he may very well be a better option that Ma'a Nonu. Unfortunately we will have to wait another month to find out.

Malakai Fekitoa

Fekitoa has been a revelation this year and his great form has been well-documented. In the weekend he showed himself once again of being a threat at the highest level and adds spark and punch in the midfield that few can contain.

Like Crotty, he runs good angles to make it difficult for defenders, but is perhaps a stronger and more direct runner. Defensively he has been very safe the past two weeks as well, in two of the harder positions to defend.

He is not a natural second five-eighth but filled in well there, and while his flair may be wasted in close, it only strengthens his resume being able to cover there if needed.

Sonny Bill Williams will return later this year, but he should be no shoe-in and will have to play exceptionally well to legitimately push out one of the incumbents.