Why there’s ‘only’ one uncapped All Black ready for Rugby World Cup

Throughout this year’s Super Rugby Pacific campaign, All Blacks supporters have engaged in seemingly endless debates surrounding the makeup of the Rugby World Cup squad.

Veteran players including Beauden Barrett have come under fire following a series of uncharacteristically poor performances, while uncapped talents may have timed their run to perfection.

With 100 days to go until the start of this year’s World Cup in September, there are still a lot of questions that remain unanswered about Ian Foster’s side.

Whether or not a bolter will make the esteemed 33-player squad remains to be seen, but all rugby fans, pundits and retired greats have an opinion.

Commentator Ken Laban believes there’s only one uncapped player who will make the All Blacks’ squad, and that’s Chiefs flyer Shaun Stevenson.

“In my view, the only player who’s not an All Black that’s going to get picked in that team is going to be Shaun Stevenson,” Laban told SENZ’s The Bunnings Trade Rugby Run.

“In my view, everybody else has either been there before (or isn’t ready).

“Overall the best player in New Zealand that’s not an All Black is Shaun Stevenson and he can play 14 or 15, the All Blacks have got a history of picking 15s who can play 14 and can do it well.

“He’s tall, he’s big, he’s fast, he’s in great form and he’s a terrific talent.”

Stevenson has been nothing short of sensational for the ladder-leaders this season.

Not many rugby fans would disagree with Laban – some would even have Stevenson in their starting side.

Earlier this month, Stevenson confidently told RugbyPass that he was “ready to play Test rugby.”

“Those ups and downs and playing Maori All Blacks and All Blacks XV, I think I am ready to play Test rugby,” Stevenson said.

“If I do get a callup I’ll be very grateful to represent my country, if I do get the opportunity to represent my country I’ll try to take it with two hands.

“With the confidence that I’m trying to play with at the moment, hopefully I can put that on the field and not shy away that it’s a step up but it’s the same players you’re playing in Super Rugby.

“Once we get there I’ll have to lean on some of the older boys in terms of some experience if I do get to that point, but I do feel like I am ready to play Test rugby.”

The countdown is well and truly on – and the clock continues to tick ever closer to the start of the sport’s most prestigious event.