All Blacks legend Jeff Wilson has doubled down on his view that Peter Lakai is the best openside flanker in the world after likening him to the great Michael Jones.

The 23-year-old is capable of playing in all three back-row roles but he has particularly shone since taking the number seven jersey in the Bledisloe Cup.

Injuries to Luke Jacobson and Ethan Blackadder opened the door for Lakai to shift to openside and it has paid dividends for the Hurricanes star.

Wilson raved about the loose forward on Sky Sport NZ’s The Breakdown at the weekend and repeated his “best openside in the world” claim on Sport Nation.

One of three All Blacks who will enhance their reputation

The former All Blacks star was asked to give the players who could come out of the Nations Championship with their reputation enhanced and Lakai was one of the three mentioned.

“One of them for me is definitely Codie Tylor. You go, ‘how can he enhance his reputation?’ Well, when people are starting to have their doubts, he got the loyalty of the coaches and he got the captaincy and to me he has just been outstanding and led from the front,” he said on the Millsy and Guy show.

“I love it when experience comes through. He’s one for me and Peter Lakai’s another one I can’t ignore.

“I think he’s the best openside flanker in the world. People are going to throw shade at me for that, but I think we’re only starting to scratch the surface.

“He’s 23 years old, that’s the sort of talent we’re seeing here. Seriously, we’re underestimating him, he is an absolute superstar without a doubt.”

The third All Black Wilson suggested was Damian McKenzie, who has revelled in the responsibility of being the main man at 10 after shifting from full-back.

“I’d love to see Damian McKenzie put all of the doubters to bed, he is a bona fide superstar and he has been spectacular this year,” he said.

“He had one moment which just didn’t quite work out for him [at the Chiefs], but in an All Black jersey, he’s been outstanding.

“Those are the three for me.”

Ardie Savea’s replacement impressing

McKenzie, Taylor and Lakai all start for the All Blacks in their Nations Championship opener with the latter being joined in the back-row by Wallace Sititi.

Those two have been handed a big responsibility in replacing Jacobson and Ardie Savea, but they have so far impressed.

Looking ahead to the Rugby World Cup next year, Wilson believes that Sititi is in the process of cementing his spot in the 23 for that tournament.

“I think Wallace Sititi’s already started that journey in recent weeks with the injury to Ardie Savea. Him stepping into that number eight role, you’re starting to see some of the special talents he has,” he added.

“He’s a guy who hadn’t found his place earlier in the year, there’s a lot of competition in the loose forward department, but he for me through injury has got his opportunity and looked really, really sharp.

“If he happens to have a really strong month and stay healthy, keep doing those impactful things, he’s going to go a long way to securing his role going forward.”