Rugby: rookie lockout Tupou Vaa’i makes initial impression of All Blacks

It was Ian Foster’s All Blacks first-team surprise package and he has since handled his rise with such poise that a test debut awaits him this weekend. And yet the best of Taranaki and Chiefs blocking Tupou Vaa’i is unlikely to come against the Wallabies, but in the years to come as his physical and mental strength further matures.

The prestige associated with an inaugural All Blacks call-up was there for all to see when Vaa’i shared the video of her family’s reaction to her national team – her pure joy, evident in the screams and tears that , in the age of social media, it soon went viral.

Rather than get carried away with the excitement of all this, Vaa’i quickly got to work helping Taranaki claim the Ranfurly Shield before settling in the All Blacks for the past two weeks.

The 20-year-old’s rapid rise, from working with his father in Auckland earlier in the year to preparing to play the Wallabies in Wellington on Sunday, is reflected in the admission of his new teammate Codie Taylor, one shared by many. Avid New Zealand rugby players. followers.

“The stark truth is, he didn’t even know who he was at the beginning of the season, but he’s come forward by leaps and bounds with the Chiefs and now he has the opportunity to wear a black jersey at some point, which is great,” Taylor said.

“You’ve seen him run, he’s not the smallest guy, he has the size and presence of Patrick Tuipulotu. He’s only 20 years old, that’s a bit scary. If they’re getting this big at that age, there’s no chance “. for us old men. “

The comparisons to Tuipulotu could be a premonition, as it took the captain of the Blues the better part of five years to adapt to the truly consistent world-class padlock that now uses the full capacity of its size to devastating effect.

At 1.96 meters and 116 kg, Vaa’I is sure to be an imposing specimen.

Quinten Strange’s ankle injury during the All Blacks’ camp in Hamilton last week secures Vaa’i a position on the bench this week covering early blocks Sam Whitelock and Tuipulotu.

With Scott Barrett poised to return from toe surgery and Brodie Retallick due to return home from Japan next year, Vaa’i is likely going down the pecking order but, for now, he’s already impressing more important.

“After being named, he was a player who then came back to his province and went to another level,” enthused All Blacks forward coach John Plumtree. “I was really excited about it. I watched him play at New Zealand 20 and kept an eye on him and then the Chiefs gave him a chance and I connected with [Chiefs forwards coach] Neil Barnes and kept looking at him.

“If you look at his physical profile, he’s obviously a good big boy and he also loves to learn. He doesn’t seem to be intimidated by the surroundings at all. He’s walking with an open chest and smiling, so I think we have a good there is one.”

At the beginning of this new era, Vaa’i is exactly the perspective the All Blacks are eager to unearth.