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Sonny Bill Williams needs a big performance after being named to start for the All Blacks against England this weekend. His selection in the No. 12 jersey sees veteran Ma'a Nonu and in-form youngster Malakai Fekitoa both left out of what is arguably the biggest game of New Zealand's end of year tour.
It is rare to see surprises in this day and age, particularly in a big Test less than a year out from the World Cup, but this could be classed as a somewhat surprising move.
While Williams undoubtedly played well against the USA, he was not alone. Ryan Crotty paired with Williams in the midfield and was more incisive and more threatening. Although how much you read into a rampant performance against a team that was constantly getting lost defensively is questionable.
It is nothing new to see Williams given a few favours. Since his return to the game, he has been rushed back into the All Blacks setup after two very ordinary ITM Cup performances. Whether he truly earned his spot back in the team remains a contentious issue.
Performance speaks for itself, though. If he really is deserving of his selection, he must perform this weekend.
He has been given the nod over two players who have been outstanding this year in Fekitoa and Crotty, as well as the incumbent Ma'a Nonu, who has been so reliable over the past five years. To pass up three proven performers for someone who has literally played three games in the past two years is a big call to say the least.
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Yet, that is the call that has been made. Now it needs to be backed up.
At his best, Williams is as dangerous a player as they come; he is strong taking the ball to the line and frees his arms easily in the tackle to offload with precision.
But there is no guarantee that this is the Sonny Bill who will front up on Saturday. He has been away from the game for so long, and in his past stint in rugby union, it was only during the last six months that he really excelled. How do we know that was not just a run of good form?
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He was inconsistent prior to 2012, often performing against weaker teams and going missing against the better ones. He had a tendency to go into a shell, not taking the ball to the line, merely content to shovel the ball on as soon as he caught it.
He was not making mistakes, but most players in New Zealand could be doing that, and Williams is far more effective taking the ball to the line.
Defensively, he still had plenty to work on too and was still getting lost at times while also needing to show his ability to throw the cut-out pass to his right.
He has not yet proven over a long enough stretch that he has stamped these weaknesses out of his game.
Some may argue that he is now being given the chance to prove it. That is true. But it would seem more prudent to have him go back and show his ability with the Chiefs in next year's Super Rugby. If he is good enough there, he will be picked for the All Blacks and no questions will be asked. Test matches are not the place to be trying players out.
Others may argue that the process had to be sped up with the World Cup less than a year away. But is that really what the All Blacks stand for? New Zealanders have always taken pride in the consistency of their national rugby team, and part of that comes in valuing every game, World Cup or not.
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Besides, it is not as if more midfielders are needed right now. Fekitoa has been simply outstanding all year, as has Crotty, while the reliable Nonu and Conrad Smith are still the No. 1 duo.
They are four quality players covering two positions. Ben Smith could also be thrown into the mix as an option if the All Blacks got desperate, as he has played there before and been solid enough.
Rushing in someone else, who has been playing a different sport for the past two years, just does not seem necessary.
Yet it comes back to that old point: performance talks. If Williams plays well this weekend, it will be hard to question his place in the team.
But he does have to play well and prove that he is better than the other three options to truly justify his selection. So it really is up to him to end the debate once and for all.
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