England recruit Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has the skills to “shock” New Zealand, says Henry Slade ahead of the two-Test series against the All Blacks.

• England will face New Zealand in a two-Test series in Dunedin and Auckland
• Immanuel Feyi-Waboso prepares to face All Blacks after breakthrough season
• Henry Slade says 21-year-old Exeter winger is an ‘incredibly gifted athlete’

Electric England recruit Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has what it takes to surprise the All Blacks over the next two weekends – according to the team-mate he calls “Grandad”.

The 21-year-old Exeter winger is preparing to face New Zealand after a breakthrough season in which he went from being a medical student waiting for his chance in senior rugby to someone who made such an impact on his club that two countries battled to pick him.

He had grown up in Wales, but England made him a compelling proposition and he pledged allegiance to it, because of his family, professional and academic connections east of the Severn Bridge.

Feyi-Waboso has never looked back since that period of mid-winter speculation when he became the most wanted man in British rugby. Steve Borthwick not only selected him but ensured England released him, with devastating effect.

His Test debut in Rome was followed by a first international try against Scotland at Murrayfield, then a leading role in the Red Rose’s superb victory over Six Nations title favorites Ireland , in Twickenham.

After missing the championship final in France with concussion, Feyi-Waboso was reinstated to the starting XV against Japan in Tokyo on June 22 and marked his return by scoring a scoreless try in England’s 52-17 win over the Brave Blossoms. He has now arrived in Auckland with the stated aim of not being daunted by the All Blacks’ reputation.

New Zealand teams are known for having predatory and lethal wingers on the wings. The history of the oval ball is littered with exploits of fast, elusive, explosive and prolific New Zealand wingers, but England believe they have a new asset capable of turning things around in a similar way.

So says Henry Slade, the Exeter center turned elder statesman for the Chiefs and also the national team – and whom Feyi-Waboso calls “Grandpa Slade”. “He’s 21, so for him, I guess I’m old,” said the veteran, before praising his junior sidekick’s talent, rapid progress and ability to destabilize the host nation.

“This guy is one of the most gifted athletes I’ve ever seen,” added Slade. “At the start of the season his goal was to break into the Exeter University team. Look at what he’s doing now. He’s playing for England and won the Premiership Young Player of the Year award.

“People who have never played against him probably underestimate him. The first time he plays against someone, he does very well. They (the All Blacks) probably wouldn’t have heard much talk about him nor see much of him But if he steps on the field, I think he will be a shock to them.

Feyi-Waboso is sure to get on the pitch. Now that he has earned his place and proven himself, Borthwick is highly unlikely to demote him. He has wreaked havoc all season, as Slade has pointed out.

“It wasn’t in training that I was first struck by (his talent), it was at Newcastle earlier this year,” he said. “He picked up the ball in his own half and took off through two guys without slowing down. They just touched down and then he rounded the full-back and scored. I was a bit shocked running after him to celebrate.

“He seemed to keep doing that kind of thing week in and week out. I was like, ‘This guy is really special.’ I try my best to keep him grounded, obviously. I give him a little bit of a hard time every day. But it’s great to have someone like that on the team, someone who can make something out of nothing. That’s what you need to win big games.”

The decision to drop Feyi-Waboso into the Red Rose back four was followed by a long-awaited tactical release, allowing England to broaden their attacking repertoire and be more daring. Has that helped the newcomer find his feet?

“Yes, we’ve put more emphasis on how we want to attack,” Slade said. “There are players in the team that have an X-factor, unbelievable talent, speed and power. It’s about getting the ball to boys like Manny and Tommy Freeman. They’re unbelievable runners so we want to get the ball into their hands and see what they can do.

The positive strategic trend continued in Tokyo, where England scored eight tries in the rout of Japan despite not having played together for three months.

The hope is that another fortnight of training will create even more cohesion and comfort against the All Blacks in the opening test in Dunedin next Saturday. And if Marcus Smith and Co can give him time and any sort of space in possession, New Zealand could end up as shell-shocked as Grandpa Slade thinks they will.