New Zealand
All Blacks brimming with midfield confidence
November 12, 2014
Malakai Fekitoa is likely to come in for Conrad Smith at outside centre against Scotland © Getty Images
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The All Blacks coaches are pleased they are brimming with talent in their midfield ranks just 12 months after a scramble to plug gaps.

Veterans Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu are both unavailable for Saturday's Test against Scotland at Murrayfield and Sonny Bill Williams is set for a rest. Yet assistant coach Ian Foster says they have two more top-drawer options in Malakai Fekitoa and Ryan Crotty, who are a strong chance of starting together for the first time.

The pair have made giant strides this year, in different ways. Their form means there is no need to field wing/fullback Ben Smith at centre, as the All Blacks were forced to do for the last five Tests of 2013 when Conrad Smith took a sabbatical.

Fekitoa, 22, has emerged as New Zealand rugby's find of the year alongside Blues lock and fellow-rookie Patrick Tuipulotu. He has started five of his seven Tests, impressing with raw power and surprising with his versatility, having been shifted from centre to second five-eighth midway through the Rugby Championship after Nonu broke his arm.

"The fact that we had to play him at 12 sped up his growth a lot and opened up an opportunity. We've been delighted with that," Foster said. "He's a very real prospect in both positions now but if you asked what jersey he wanted to wear, it'd be 13."

A return to centre this week seems likely in place of Conrad Smith, who has returned home from the tour for a week for personal reasons. Fekitoa is one of two players from the original selection of 34 who didn't feature against either the United States or England this month. The other is recuperating lock Luke Romano.

Williams started, and impressed, in both Tests at second five-eighth so will probably step aside for Crotty. The 26-year-old's midfield versatility has been invaluable in accumulating 11 caps over the last 15 months. "Ryan's done both jobs really effectively for us. I don't necessarily see him as a specialist in either," Foster said.

© AAP

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