The rangy Waikato winger was added to the Chiefs squad for the last game of the 2010 season during their injury melt down. He came off the bench for a very brief taste of Super Rugby.
He has been going well for Waikato, on defense and on attack with deceptive speed, strength and accuracy at the breakdown.
The competition
The list is particularly distinguished in his home franchise
- Sitivini Sivivati was injured last season but is expected back and he should be fired up to regain his All Black spot
- The same goes for Lelia Masaga - currently back to hose best form with Bay of Plenty
Mikklesen may be considered ahead of Bay of Plenty’s Jason Hona who was added to the Chiefs squad during he 2010 season as well.
Ashee Tuala might be a potential bolter. He burst on the scene this year in the vacuum left by Lelia Masaga scoring 4 tries in his first 2 games for Counties Manukau.
The Chiefs named just 2 specialist wings last season and so utility Duane Sweeney could be the man who gets in his way if coach Stu Foster goes the same way.
That said, it was the specialist wings who spent most of the season off the field with injury so Foster may be motivated to increase stocks and Mikklesen should be ahead of his Waikato team mates.
Blues
Incumbents Anthony Tuitavake and Rudi Wulf have left the country for off shore contracts so that leaves Jo Rokocoko and Sherwin Stowers as wing specialists but there utility options.
- Rene Ranger, but the Northland man may be used inside or at fullback
- Of the little time he has played in the last 18 months, Isaia Toeava hasn’t played much on the wing
That really only leaves Dave Thomas, Lochie Munroe and Nafi Tuitavake from within the franchise. Personally, I like Tuitavake’s strength, pace and nous but the selectors may not and I don’t think Thomas will get a look in.
Prospects here will come down to how selectors see their utility options.
Hurricanes
The Hurricanes incumbents include Hosea Gear and David Smith.
All Black Corey Jane prefers fullback but did play on the wing as well.
Competition includes Taranaki’s Andre Taylor, who played 5 games for the ‘Canes last year (plus on off the bench) and there is new sensation Julian Savea so there may not be any room at the inn.
Crusaders
Zac Guildford, Jared Payne and Sean Maitland were all used in 2010.
Israel Dagg has signed for 2011 but one of these will play at fullback.
Utilities Ryan Crotty and Kade Poki (Tasman) have also played there and so competition will be very tight in Christchurch also.
Highlanders
Ben Smith and Fetu’u Vainakolo are the incumbents.
Smith has re-signed and Vainakolo is excitement in coloured boots.
With Robbie Robinson likely to be first choice fullback, Kurt Baker will be considered a fullback/wing utility.
James Paterson was in the squad in 2010 when he made the move to Southland where he has been going well.
Highlanders Coach Jamie Joseph is his own man and will select who he believes can do the job for him so there may be an outside chance for Mikklesen in the deep south.
3 Australian Sevens Stars Make Wallabies Squad
Filed under Commentary by Maru on October 17, 2010 at 4:35 pm {no comments}Pat McCutcheon, Nick Phipps and Luke Morahan from the Australia’s 2009-2010 IRB Sevens Series team have been named in the Australian Rugby Squad for their upcoming tour of Hong Kong Europe.
Pat McCutcheon, Australia
The Commonwealth Games team included the previously capped Lachie Turner who is also in the touring party. There are another 11 ex-Sevens internationals in the 36-man squad.
Australia’s development program is very well coordinated with obvious cooperation between Sevens, Under 20, Super Rugby and the full Wallaby programs.
This year’s graduates include
[It was a real credit to the Australian Sevens program and coach Michael O'Connor that they regathered to win the London event]
Wallaby coach, Robbie Deans has been very supportive of Rugby Australia’s Sevens program – he was prominent in the build-up to the Adelaide leg of the World Series and his assistant Jim Williams was close to the action.
This will make O’Connor’s job particularly challenging going into preparations for the first event of the 2010-2011 World Sevens Series in Dubai (3-4 December).
In contrast to neighbours New Zealand
[Typically, New Zealand players take another 1-2 years after their Sevens debut before they win selection]