Charles Piutau’s debut All Blacks Test season continues to blossom, with the 22-year-old likely to replace an ill Julian Savea on the wing against France in Paris.
Savea has played no part in New Zealand’s build-up for the Test on Saturday, after picking up an illness during the trip to Europe and spending most of his first three days in bed.
He was moving about the team hotel on Tuesday but didn’t take part in their key two-hour training session, something which has counted against players previously under coach Steve Hansen, who likes his players substantially involved in preparation for every Test.
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw says Savea has progressed well, having been told by medical staff he would be bed-ridden for two days.
However, the man who has scored 16 tries in 18 Tests may have left the door open for the pacy Piutau, who earned his first six caps off the bench before impressing in New Zealand’s starting line-up in their last two Tests.
His defensive qualities and chasing game shone against Australia in Dunedin three weeks ago following a late call-up after Cory Jane injured his hamstring two days out.
His speed and finishing were to the fore against Japan last Saturday, where the Blues fullback dashed in for two tries and ran for a total of 150m with ball.
Assistant coach Ian Foster feels comfortable about the prospect of Piutau partnering Cory Jane as the two wingers at Stade de France.
“The fact that he’s done it on the right wing (Wallabies) and then the left wing (Japan), he’s answered a few questions there,” Foster said.
“He’s been very, very level-headed about his game. He’s made some really good decisions on the park. He hasn’t tried to overplay his hand, but when he’s asked to do a role on the park, he’s done it really physically and added a lot of skill to it.”
Savea was the only absentee at a wet training session where the 35 other squad members all took a full part.
The selectors aren’t likely to produce any major surprises, with first five-eighth Dan Carter and McCaw poised to be among the changes from the starting side who beat the Wallabies 41-33 in Dunedin.
Hooker is once again contentious, with veterans Andrew Hore and Keven Mealamu vying for a start, while it may be too soon to recall Luke Romano as a starting lock after returning from 10 weeks sidelined by a groin injury.
“The guys are in pretty good shape and I think there’s a feeling, without too many people saying too much, that there’s a step-up in intensity,” McCaw said.