wellington – Malakai Fekitoa elatedly tweeted this weekend to express how he felt after he was announced as one of the 31 All Blacks squad elected for the Rugby World Cup 2015.

Fekitoa tweeted: “Huge honour to be part of this team for the RWC. I’m proud and excited to represent this country.”

Fekitoa, 23, was the only Tongan-born player named in the All Blacks team for the Rugby World Cup after Charles Piutau was not included on the list.

Fekitoa was born in Ha‘apai, Tonga. He arrived in New Zealand in 2009 and enrolled at Wesley College. Now he has achieved what many Tongan boys dream of – the chance to wear the famous black jersey.

Fekitoa’s selection to the team marked another milestone in the 87-year-old connection between Tongan players and the All Blacks.

The link between the kingdom and the team began with Walter Batty, whose mother was Tongan and father was English.

Batty played for the All Blacks in 1928. He is claimed to have been the first Tongan to play for the world champions of rugby union.

Fekitoa has only 14 month’s history with the All Blacks and he will now be a member of the team that defends the Webb Ellis Cup next month.

There were mixed reactions from Tongan All Blacks fans after the team was officially announced at the weekend.

While many Tongans welcomed the election of Fekitoa, some were not satisfied with Piutau missing out.

The talented Auckland utility missed out on selection in the national team despite a strong showing this year.

Piutau was one of the All Blacks’ best performers in the first three tests of this year, scoring a try against Argentina, but it was not enough to book himself a ticket to England.

Some Tongan commentators on social media asked whether Piutau had been left out because of injury since his recent performance had been brilliant.

Fairfax reporter Lian Napier suggested that the comeback of Waisake Naholo to the All Blacks assured the fate of Piutau.

The seemingly miracle recovery of Highlanders winger Waisake Naholo from a fractured leg ended any hopes Piutau had of playing at the World Cup before heading overseas.

In March, Piutau made the surprise announcement that he had signed a two-year deal with Irish club Ulster that was believed to be worth close to $1 million a season.

But the deal, which is to begin in July next year, may have ultimately cost him a chance at playing for his country on the game’s biggest stage.

Auckland coach Paul Feeney said he was “gutted” for Piutau, but acknowledged that lots of good players had missed out.

“It’s disappointing for Charles, he’s always played well in the All Blacks jersey but it’s a tough decision for the selectors.”

Feeney had no idea if Piutau’s defection had played a part in him missing out, but thought it was unlikely.

“You’d have to ask Steve Hansen that one, I’d like to think not. You’re not going to cut off your nose to spite your face, you’d think you would pick the best team to win the World Cup.”

Barely six weeks after Fiji-born Waisake Naholo limped off with a broken leg on test debut, he is now back in the team.

A remarkable story has emerged from his home village in Fiji, where he returned for treatment.

His uncle, Isei Naiova, told local media he applied traditional leaves known as kawakawarau on Naholo’s leg for four days.

Naholo was checked by All Blacks medical staff and is expected to be fit for their third game against Georgia in Cardiff on October 3.

Even after two stunning tests, Nehe Milner-Skudder was in a state of shock as he received word of his inclusion in the All Blacks’ World Cup squad.

He said he did not recognise All Blacks manager Darren Shand’s number when he called to deliver the good news on Sunday. At home in Palmerston North surrounded by family, the unknown number flashed up on his cellphone.

“I’m pinching myself. I didn’t really have the World Cup or even going over to watch the World Cup on my radar at the start of this year. How the year has panned out, I’m still buzzing.”

Over the past 18 months Milner-Skudder rapidly emerged from the most competitive selection area to surpass Charles Piutau, Cory Jane and Israel Dagg – three world-class players.

Crusaders fullback Israel Dagg is “gutted” to miss out on a second shot at a Rugby World Cup winner’s medal.

The 27-year-old, who has 48 caps, and played in the All Blacks’ 2011 Rugby World Cup winning team, was one of the unluckiest omissions from the 31-man squad announced in Wellington on Sunday night.

After the announcement of the squad Israel Dagg tweeted: “Gutted to not be in the RWC2015 team but congrats and all the best @All Blacks men – it’s been a hell of a journey cheers.”

Nine Canterbury players were selected in All Blacks coach Steve Hansen’s squad, but Dagg and several other Canterbury and Crusaders men had their hopes dashed.

Highlanders first-five Lima Sopoaga was another desperately unlucky one, as the selectors went with experience in the form of Dan Carter, Beauden Barrett and Colin Slade.

The omitted players are on standby for the Rugby World Cup in case of injury – the All Blacks lost key first five-eighths in 2011, resulting in a call up for Waikato’s Stephen Donald, who kicked the winning goal in the final.

New Zealand will face Tonga in Pool C along with Argentina, Georgia and Namibia.

The All Blacks remain in Wellington for a camp, then assemble in Auckland just before flying out on September 10. Their tournament opener is against Argentina on September 21.

“To the fans I would like to say – our attitude going into this Rugby World Cup is not a case of expecting it, but one of making it happen. The Cup isn’t ours. We are not defenders. Like everyone else, we are contenders. We have to earn the right to win it through world-class performances,” Hansen said.

ALL BLACKS SQUAD:

Props: Tony Woodcock, Wyatt Crockett, Owen Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Ben Franks.

Hookers: Dane Coles, Keven Mealamu, Codie Taylor.

Locks: Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano.

Loose Forwards: Jerome Kaino, Liam Messam, Richie McCaw (c), Sam Cane, Kieran Read, Victor Vito.

Halfbacks: Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Tawera Kerr-Barlow.

First-Fives: Dan Carter, Beauden Barrett, Colin Slade.

Midfield Backs: Ma’a Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams, Conrad Smith, Malakai Fekitoa.

Outside Backs: Waisake Naholo, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Julian Savea, Ben Smith.