They were meant to be the next big things in New Zealand rugby. For some, it all went horribly wrong.

The All Blacks have had their fair share of superstars. Richie McCaw, Dan Carter and Beauden Barrett spring to mind.

But for every legend, there's a young player who never quite makes the grade.

Some looked like world-beaters before they could legally buy a pint. Others had barely pulled on the black jersey before things went south.

Injuries played their part. So did poor form, bad luck and problems away from the pitch.

We've picked five New Zealand wonderkids who seemed to have it all.

One even won the Rugby World Cup before his career took a sharp turn.

Whatever happened to them?

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5. Tiaan Falcon

Remember Tiaan Falcon?

If you watched the 2017 Junior World Cup, you will.

The young fly-half looked like a future All Blacks star.

Falcon helped New Zealand win the title in Georgia. His passing, kicking and calm head caught the eye.

One cheeky pass against France was pure class.

He also finished as the tournament's top points scorer.

World Rugby named him among the best young players in the world.

It seemed New Zealand had found another gifted No.10.

But things didn't go to plan.

Falcon joined the Chiefs but played just four Super Rugby games.

He then moved to Japan in 2021.

The All Blacks call-up never came.

Not quite the path many had in mind for one of rugby's brightest young stars.

4. Tevita Li

Thirteen tries in ten games.

That's what Tevita Li managed across two Junior World Cups.

Not bad, eh?

The huge winger was a nightmare for young defenders.

He scored seven tries in 2014, then added six more a year later.

His hat-trick against France helped New Zealand win the 2015 title.

At the time, he was the top try scorer in the tournament's history.

An All Blacks call-up seemed a matter of when, not if.

But it never came.

Li played Super Rugby for the Blues and Highlanders.

He had pace, power and an eye for the try line.

Yet he never quite made the leap to Test rugby.

He moved to Japan in 2020 and kept playing at club level.

For a player who made junior rugby look so easy, it's a real surprise.

3. Isaia Toeava

Isaia Toeava was just 19 when he became an All Black.

Nineteen.

Most players that age are still trying to earn a club contract.

Toeava was already playing for New Zealand.

The gifted back had won World Rugby's Under-19 Player of the Year award.

He could play centre, wing or full-back.

His pace and footwork made him one of the hottest young talents around.

But there was a catch.

Nobody seemed to know his best position.

Toeava spent much of his Test career moving around the backline.

One week he was in midfield. The next he was out wide.

He still helped New Zealand win the 2011 World Cup.

But he never became the star many had hoped for.

Toeava finished with 36 Test caps.

A fine career by most standards.

But when you become an All Black at 19, the bar is rather high.

2. Nehe Milner-Skudder

For a short time, Nehe Milner-Skudder was the most fun player in rugby.

His sidestep was a thing of beauty.

Defenders knew it was coming. They still ended up on the wrong foot.

The winger made his All Blacks debut in 2015.

A few months later, he was a world champion.

Milner-Skudder scored six tries at the World Cup.

One came in the final against Australia at Twickenham.

He ended 2015 with eight tries in eight Tests.

World Rugby named him Breakthrough Player of the Year.

New Zealand had found a new star.

Or so it seemed.

A bad shoulder injury ruined much of his 2016 season.

More injuries followed.

Each time he looked set to return, something else went wrong.

He did make it back into the All Blacks side.

But his final Test came in 2018.

He finished with just 13 caps.

Thirteen.

A World Cup winner. A try scorer in the final. One of the best wingers around.

And just 13 Test caps to show for it.

What might have been?

1. Zac Guildford

Zac Guildford had it all.

Pace, skill and a World Cup winners' medal before his 23rd birthday.

The winger made his All Blacks debut at just 20.

Two years later, he was on top of the world.

Guildford scored four tries against Canada at the 2011 World Cup.

He looked set for a long career in black.

Then things took a dark turn.

Problems away from rugby began to affect his career.

Guildford later spoke about his battle with alcohol and his efforts to get his life back on track.

His All Blacks career ended in 2012.

He won just 11 Test caps.

For a player who had achieved so much so young, it was a sad end to his Test career.

Guildford kept playing rugby, but he never reached those early heights again.

He has since spoken about trying to turn his life around.

His story shows how fast things can change.

One minute, you're a young World Cup winner.

The next, you're fighting to get your career back.

Few players had more promise. Few saw their Test careers end so soon.