The days of an All Blacks bolter have largely faded into the distance - in the age of electronic media, instant news cycles and every top-level match in the country being televised, most contenders have been dissected and discussed for months before the squad is named. Shaun Stevenson, if he is named next month for the All Blacks, wouldn’t be classed as a bolter. If there is a bolter this year, it could come in midfield. A suggestion...Bryce Heem scores a try for the All Blacks XV. Photo / PhotosportBut to bring his column full-circle, I’d be looking at 34-year-old Blues midfielder Bryce Heem just as closely as a “bolter”.

Source: New Zealand Herald May 25, 2023 21:56 UTC