Prime Nehe Milner-Skudder was UNREAL

[@davidpaterson9905]

The footwork is just sublime. They dont just buy his dummies, they take out mortgages on them.

[@toma411]

Not even a NZ fan but I remember being absolutely gutted when he picked up one injury and then the next. Joy to watch when given the stage.

[@zephanish]

It was so sad when even toulon had to cancel his contract due to the state of his injuries

[@WaiSiliva19]

Check out his touch footy highlights

[@guyportersfootstep4553]

He left such an indelible mark on the 2015WC. Legend!

[@mrmrmusic123]

So true! As they say in football ⚽️ “the streets will never forget” Unbelievable footwork and unbelievable offload skills

[@iestynrees8076]

Very very underrated player, as he was playing the same time as Julian savea

[@jamiebloxham777]

Was never underrated. More like robbed.

[@oLessoh]

Ya guy was amazing sad to see the shoulder go though

[@aleccastro4761]

The ABs from 2011 to 2015 just seemed to step it up next level - I think the 2015 ABs were, on their day, pretty much the most unbeatable team there's ever been. I don't understand how their reign came to an end, cos the ABs still have brilliant players. Maybe it's the forwards that need improving, cos NZ backs are still world-beaters on their day.

[@jonnybaynham1689]

They lost a lot of seriously experienced winners that year with Carter, McCaw, Nonu, Conrad Smith among the retirees. They were still brilliant in 2016 though, think they only lost one that year. But they needed to blood a whole load of new players and didn't have the world class experience they had.

[@cordlxze9559]

Poor coaching. While every other nation is sourcing the very best coaches and looking to progress their game plans to the 2020s, the All Blacks are stuck with a coach who was trash at domestic level and is only in cause he’s friends with the last two successful coaches.

[@MusMasi]

@@cordlxze9559 fozzie out!!

[@RTBChristisLife]

Imagine losing McCaw, Carter, Nonu, Conrad Smith, Ben Smith, Milner-Skudder (injuries), Naholo..the first 5 names could easily be in any World 15 of any generation.

[@mikedangerdoes]

Like others have said, even with the best succession plans in place, they lost a lot of generational talent and experience after 2015. It's also worth noting that when a team or style is so good and so dominant, the game changes around them. The rush defence came out and has really impacted the ABs way of playing, and for whatever reason, they haven't been able to really find the right answer to it. ABs and NZ teams still tear up almost everyone who doesn't control the gain line and win defensive collisions. That and there seems to be a trend of powerful, ball-carrier tight-fives that the ABs have missed the boat on and haven't really been able to address.

[@06alepea1]

That 2015 RWC squad was insane. Maybe the best ever XV.

[@bpswank429]

They made it look too easy aswell

[@abdulkhohar7518]

Yes man this team is even better than the evengers 😂

[@LordSeth-hf8ew]

Not many true steppers anymore, he's one of them, elite first step

[@Danjobeth]

Indeed

[@lm_b5080]

cheslin

[@thebottomlesspit8516]

@@lm_b5080they said "not many" not "not any"

[@magnumpi8097]

This guy was the man in his prime. We were very fortunate to see the hot stepper carve up before injury took its toll on him.

[@princewuz]

Watched him that season with the hurricanes and thought he was ridiculous. Then the World Cup came around and he did not disappoint!

[@jackdarby8904]

Such a shame he's had such bad luck with injuries he was a great player

[@christiantasidaily]

He was one of the most exciting players to ever play in his prime. One of the v few people to have X factor of that level

[@Gary-n]

Such an exciting player. Seems a good bloke too so sad to see all his injuries mount up. Hope he does well in the US. 👍

[@emmacrooke807]

I hadn't heard of him until the 2015 world cup and I was watching the New Zealand matches in awe, he was amazing!

[@rkkeogh988]

Watching 2015 rwc Millner Skudder was the reason i took up rugby and have loved it ever since.

[@bellamybomb]

I remember watching this guy in 2015 thinking his footwork and stepping was unreal - then he kinda just vanished?? Was a little sad to see, as I think he was an incredible player and very exciting to watch. Hope he makes a comeback!

[@ishakespeare3898]

It's a shame his small run will probably be forgotten in time, but man he was awesome when he was on form

[@JitzyKing]

Before there was Cheslin Kolbe, there was Nehe Milner-Skudder.

[@AlphaNevada123]

I wouldn’t say he was underrated as I never saw him have a bad or even average game. I would say he’s been very very unlucky with injuries unfortunately. When you look at his stats, he was just as good if not better than the likes of rokocoko and savea in terms of tries per game and tries aside seemed to be always in the right place in terms of where he knew the best place to make a run with the ball to drive the his team up the pitch.

[@julianmasimba1099]

His injuries denied us the chance of seeing one of the most entertaining players in the game. His steps were a marvel to watch

[@killamazilla3835]

What an unfortunate career so short yet so memorable in his prime he was unstoppable

[@osalim1998]

He was the original Cheslin Kobe

[@jonnybaynham1689]

Jason Robinson, Shane Williams, David Duckham, Christian Cullen to name a few were all strong side-stepping stars before Nehe

[@Fingim12]

Another classic of the Andrew Forde genre

[@HeAhaBro]

An incredibly short but incredibly memorable career and was really bummed he was unable to overcome him injuries. He was the epitome of what makes a great All Black. ✊

[@mikedangerdoes]

The dude was an absolute phenom for about one or two seasons. Imagine forcing your way into the starting XV of the ABs in a World Cup year. How good would you have to be?

[@lightyagami4874]

Call me crazy but I would take a prime form Nehe over any other winger in the world.

[@bpswank429]

Lomu ?

[@ozmanoshe]

Rupeni best of all time imo.

[@RubyDoobieScoo]

​@@bpswank429 Lomu was a physical freak, he wasn't very good at Rugby though, couldn't kick, couldn't pass, couldn't tackle. Julian was a better power wing than Lomu, his stats back that up. Nehe and Julian weren't competing for the left wing as we almost always have a power winger on the left with a smaller guy on the right with experience at Fullback to help cover and return kicks.

[@bpswank429]

@@RubyDoobieScoo Richie Mcaw could kick , pass or break tackles so does that mean he’s not good at rugby too ? Weird logic

[@bpswank429]

@@RubyDoobieScoo Kieran Reed couldn’t kick goals, throw line outs or do kick offs . Is he also a bad rugby player ?

[@antoniopetrossi6573]

Spero che nel campionato USA possa ritornare ai suoi livelli.

[@adideisler]

Thanks Andrew for reminding me how exciting NMS was 🤩

[@matiurussell8342]

He definitely was,his unbelievable form got him touch tournament winners,the Manawatu turbos won a championship cos of his sublime form,hurricanes got to the finals on his unbelievable year was simply unreal,unfortunate with the injuries

[@TheFunkhouser]

Oh my gosh yes Nehe.. he just slipped away! Where is he now, was SO epic!!

[@sloppy___playz]

My biggest flex is he’s my uncle he’s my mums cousin

[@sirfrancis6058]

The best stepper I've seen in my lifetime with Shane Williams and Cheslin Kolbe.

[@bpswank429]

You ever seen RTS ?

[@bpswank429]

@CJ2022 Jason Robinson didn’t have that footwork

[@Ogaphysio]

Rugby’s biggest ‘what if’ 😢

[@tee_saw]

That 2015 year was amazing for him

[@mariadelmarmirromero1107]

Fabuloso, los Flankers lo hacen fenomenal. Un partido fantástico. Gracias.

[@emmacrooke807]

He's a winger not a flanker

[@joeyclark3995]

Phenomenal player! Great side step & amazing ball skillz.

[@wadesharp11]

Absolutely outstanding! Shot the bro manawatu all day. Even represented Dog Soldiers “touch” footy rep

[@bombasticbadassbrigade3552]

Certainly not the quickest in terms of pace but his stepping was phenomenal.

[@benhughey2947]

He was amazing in NZ kids around the country were doing the skitter step unseen since the the Lomu barge

[@brgw8]

Just 13 caps and RWC winner what a player he was insanely good so unlucky with injuries. Hopefully he lights up MLR. On a separate note think he'd qualify for Tonga 🤔

[@mrmrmusic123]

Tonga 🇹🇴 👀 Now that would be interesting

[@Reformed1-e1c]

Not the fastest winger in the ABs but the most skillful with sound rugby IQ. Has a deadly passing game and footwork that is like having an extra centre on the wing.

[@Obie_D]

Savea and Skudder combination was deadly

[@Matt-ot7zv]

One of the most underrated and well balanced rugby players of all time

[@cm5066]

Best step in rugby union all time

[@taraishot100]

Nehe was the man only him and savea have matched Lomu and Havana’s try scoring record in a tournament at a World Cup with 8 tries

[@bigch33se37]

Definitely underrated. He was in his prime 2015. Shame he was overshadowed by Julian.

[@michaelkonelio7452]

Julian was in his prime as well…Julian was the obvious choice

[@mikedangerdoes]

I don't know if he was overshadowed or underrated. Obviously, everyone likes a big power winger and they didn't come much bigger than the Bus. But Milner-Skudder provided a brilliant counterpoint to Savea's bruising runs with his silky hands, beautiful angles, piston fend and of course the immaculate footwork. As a wing combo, I reckon these two set the standard that everything gets referred back to, almost as iconic as Smith and Nonu, just not nearly as long lasting.

[@countycricklewood]

Proves you don’t need to be a 6”4 19 stone monster to play rugby. Fast feet, soft hands and a scalpel like eye for a gap! Was so dissatisfied and fed up on my trip of a lifetime on Loins tour NZ and he wasn’t playing. Locals tried to cheer me up, unfortunately I was a grump for the whole trip, when they told me. Sorrry fella, he’s not around. 😤

[@wmd13194]

The streets will never forget

[@Luka_WiFi]

სუპერ'ვარსკვლავი! Superstar

[@chrisbossman1978]

What happened to him. He had some of the best footwork ever seen in Rugby, insane

[@yaboi5509]

Without injuries we’d be looking at the best winger ever. I truly believe he would’ve eclipsed Lomu. Supposed to be a better version of Cheslin Kolbe. An unrivalled X Factor with ball in hand. Truly truly special

[@giog_33]

What was unreal is the hurricanes backs 2015 TJ perenara Beauden Barrett Julian Savea Ma'a Nonu Conrad Smith Milner-Skudder Cory Jane

[@JMz685]

Hard out man. That 2015 as a whole was stacked. Should’ve won that year, still disappointed about that loss to highlanders in the final 😂😭

[@redneckReno]

great AB career cut short by injury

[@sameerdean9356]

If you look at his playstyle it is very similar to how kolbe plays

[@OhSixThree]

if he had even the pace of someone like beaudy or rieko, sheeeeesh.

[@Jordan-mq4wj]

I've never seen a player rise and fall so quickly

[@davidpeters3857]

In my humble opinion ,if Skudz had remained injury free,would have been a 100cap AB

[@Sokol17029]

This guy can sidestep thru a keyhole.

[@kevd2448]

He could have been a great 10. The passing and vision was there

[@championthewonderhorse9733]

Amazing footwork; tragedy that his career was cut short. 2:50 what a disgraceful tackle

[@solekefs626]

I feel like RTS could have the same impact as nehe but needs more game time not only at 12 but as a winger too

[@straddledriver1019]

Rts not even close,ole butterfingers🥴

[@solekefs626]

@@straddledriver1019 when

[@straddledriver1019]

@@solekefs626 watch him against the Irish........ohhhh wait🥴,,, didn't make the team ,because he fumbles the ball, 😵‍💫

[@solekefs626]

@@straddledriver1019 na when did I ask?

[@elamelman]

He was Kolbe before Kolbe, but much better.

[@MJ-wk5dy]

Guy was a freak! Life was very unfair to nehe!

[@mattyb3780]

Ben Smith Best of please

[@DRE-HRUYAN]

That maori side step! 😉

[@menzimngadi6793]

Good player, but his speed was quiet average for a wing

[@MusMasi]

his surname suited him to a T

[@teraipinerangiuaia9582]

he’s my brothers cousin

[@matthewnorthcott3232]

The step on this bloke was just rude

[@tjhill1192]

And he's a league player lol

[@marcusfransman5415]

Magical feet🔥

[@paulzenco6182]

I am not a homosexual

[@kevd2448]

Sure paul. Its ok bro.

[@Xfactories]

He was ok, but lacked the top-end speed required for a long career. He was kinda like Nonu if he lost 15 kg.

[@ruadhbeag]

Not sure what you were watching!

[@fitfirst4468]

so overrated