Outgoing Hurricanes coach Jason Holland has nailed his colours to the mast for halfback Cam Roigard to claim an All Blacks spot, as Ian Foster prepares to name his first squad of 2023.
In the absence of TJ Perenara - who missed the Hurricanes' entire Super Rugby Pacific season with an Achilles injury - Roigard has been a shining light for Holland's side on their run to the playoffs.
In his first full campaign, the 22-year-old played 13 of his side's 14 matches, averaging 51 minutes per game and scoring nine tries to put himself among the competition's leading halfbacks.
Roigard's efforts have seen his name put forward to become an All Blacks bolter, with Foster to name his squad on Sunday.
In the past, the All Blacks have tended to take three halfbacks to a World Cup, potentially opening the door for a bolter to break his way into Foster's plans.
Incumbent Aaron Smith is the only guaranteed certainty to be included this year, while Highlanders teammate Folau Fakatava, Chiefs co-captain Brad Weber, Blues halfback Finlay Christie and veteran TJ Perenara have all been involved in the current All Blacks side.
But while it could be seen as a risk to include a breakthrough player like Roigard with just five tests to be played before the World Cup, Holland backs the youngster to shine - if given the chance.
"I think there's massive potential in a lot of our guys," said Holland. "We've got some good guys in that group.
"Cam's played some awesome footy. He's been awesome, his left foot is a massive tool for the game at the moment.
"If you'd seen the way we cleared our lines with his left foot in the weekend, got out of our end, his contestable kicks and obviously his running threat makes him a pretty special little player.
"I hope that he's called out in that group to go to the World Cup."
Aside from Roigard, the Hurricanes boast a number of outstanding young players in their current ranks.
Loose forward Peter Lakai, outside backs Ruben Love and Josh Moorby and first-five Aidan Morgan are among those expected to press for higher honours in the coming years, even if this World Cup has come too soon.
For Holland, the lessons learned from Roigard's development serve as a blueprint for incoming Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw to make use of his young talent in the years to come.
"Obviously it's been a great season for him, and we thought that might happen," he added.
"Myself and Cam would have been happy with a lesser season, it still would have been a great season for him.
"Sometimes you need to take a punt on guys, and they get an opportunity and they take it.
"There's more guys in the Hurricanes' group that will do that in the coming years."
