‘Little bit of Ben Smith': Breakdown panel compares All Blacks bolter to former star

Two ex-All Blacks have discussed whether versatile Hurricanes winger Josh Moorby is playing his way into Dave Rennie’s first squad on June 22.

Moorby added another try to his 2026 tally for the Wellington-based franchise in their 45-28 victory at Hnry Stadium against the Highlanders.

With Highlanders winger Caleb Tangitau going down with a ruptured Achilles two weeks ago against the Chiefs, a vacant spot has opened up in Rennie’s squad.

Moorby will be battling the likes of Chay Fihaki, Leroy Carter, Emoni Narawa, Sevu Reece, and Jacob Ratamatavuki Kneepkens for an outside-back spot.

Throw Fehi Fineanganofo into the mix, if Rennie opts to pick him, and the newly appointed coaching staff have some contentious decisions to make before the 34-man squad is announced in late June.

“I said a week ago that someone had an opportunity to play their way into the All Blacks over the next month, over the playoffs, and the teams that are alive and playing well, I thought that’s going to help someone get in,” Wilson said on The Breakdown on Sky Sport.

“That’s where Josh Moorby sits right now. He’s done some special things this season, I like the versatility, can play both positions 15 and on the wing exceptionally well.

“Someone mentioned the fact there’s a little bit of Ben Smith about him, the fact that he has high work rate. You saw the physicality, run hard with the ball.

“But personally, he’s in a conversation. I think the whole landscape has changed with the loss of Caleb Tangitau. I think the out-and-out wing that we are looking for, does that mean the flexibility that Josh Moorby gives you, because he can play wing and fullback.

“Because I think ideally you’d like the opportunity to have a six two bench, and that means you’d like to have a wing who can play fullback.”

Mils Muliaina, who played both fullback and wing for the All Blacks, explained that if it comes down to a pure wing shootout, that’s where the 27-year-old may miss out.

“He’s certainly putting his hand up. I think you know what he showed last night, particularly when he sort of came out with a counter attack, is his ability to be able to do that, he’s got plenty of speed.

“Cully [Christian Cullen] talked about his work rate as well. He manipulates that sort of defensive line because he’s roaming around, and he came back early, and so it’s hard not to sort of look where he can get to.

“He will have a bit of competition, but the other side of that, he does bring a little bit of versatility. Where does he fit in terms of the others? I think there’s definitely competition in terms of an out and out wing, and that’s probably where he could possibly miss out.”

58-Test former All Black Christian Cullen endorses Moorby’s chances of becoming an All Black in 2026, saying one of his main strengths is his ability to find the try line in tough situations.

“Moorby would look pretty good in a black jersey, wouldn’t he? Powerful winger or fullback, he’s just got an eye for the try line there, his work rate is massive,” Cullen said on Saturday night’s Sky Sport broadcast.