Chiefs striker's long road from debut night nerves to cracking the half century
Just where the last 50-matches went is an intriguing question for talented Chiefs utility Shaun Stevenson.
It seems like only yesterday that a fresh-faced Stevenson first brought out the Happy Gilmour post-try celebration.
The 23-year old is still far from the finished product and has some work to do to be a real All Blacks threat, but recent signs say that the Chiefs utility may be approaching something near career-best form.
That can only be an exciting prospect for the Chiefs given Stevenson is locked in for another three years. There is time and opportunity ahead, but to say Stevenson’s ride since making his Super Rugby debut against the Crusaders hasn’t been smooth would be something of a kind description.
That evening in 2016, Stevenson was so nervous that he became sick just moments before running out of the dressing room. It would turn out to be a night of mixed fortune for the then 19-year old, scoring a try to calm his nerves before a shoulder injury struck, resulting in a long wait for the next opportunity.
One All Black returns to the starting lineup for the Chiefs – but there's still one missing from the match-day 23 altogether. #SuperRugbyAotearoa #CHIvBLUhttps://t.co/nP0NFlnhOJ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 18, 2020
In many ways, Stevenson’s debut encapsulated the journey that the then 19-year old would forge in Super Rugby.
Stevenson had been fast-tracked into the Chiefs environment due to injuries to other outside backs that year but his impressive showings for Waikato in the Mitre 10 Cup had already shown all onlookers his potential.
Dazzling footwork, uncanny strength, and an ability to pop into places on attack that catches defenders off guard are the core skills that make Stevenson a natural fit for the Chiefs but it’s his ability to finish close to the try line which makes him a hard player to keep out of any match-day XV.
When firing at his best, Stevenson is one of the most exciting players to watch in Super Rugby. His range of talents were on full display at the 2017 Brisbane Global Tens tournament where Stevenson was named MVP in the victorious Chiefs squad, with his try in the final just one example of how good Stevenson had been that weekend in his first real performance of note on the international stage.
Since then, Stevenson has gone on to perform for the Maori All Blacks and has become somewhat of a Mr Reliable for the Chiefs in the past year or two.
Able to play at both fullback and on the wing, Stevenson has regularly been called on to adapt to different positions in his time with the Chiefs.
During the much-discussed move of Damian McKenzie to first five during the Colin Cooper coaching era, Stevenson would regularly switch with Solomon Alaimalo and Sean Wainui to take up position at fullback or on either wing.
Results were mixed, but the potential was always there to see. Earlier in 2020, Stevenson talked of a renewed sense of understanding about using his voice as a core leader in the team, something that wasn’t always natural or comfortable.
“I’ve been in the Chiefs for a while so I need to be a big voice, both from the outside and also when playing in that back three,” Stevenson said.
“Rugby is always a challenging game and the mental side of things is crucial but you’ve also got to play in the moment and do each task as it comes. I’m enjoying myself, it’s a good environment so I try to come in every day with a smile on my face.”
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Widely seen as a quality player of the future, the challenge for Stevenson was to be a quality player for the now.
That challenge wasn’t always met in the manner Chiefs coaches would’ve liked, leaving Stevenson missing selection completely or facing the prospect of turning out for development sides, both of which have happened at various times over the past couple of years.
Injuries in between and staunch competition from others in the Chiefs backline all made for one certain reality for Stevenson – make every playing opportunity count and do that by getting involved with ball in hand.
When Stevenson does that, fortunes tend to favour the Chiefs when close to the try line or in need of a line break to spark an attack. Stevenson showed such qualities in the Chiefs’ first hit out in Super Rugby Aotearoa against the Highlanders, despite the narrow loss, being the second-best ball carrier and executing on all but one of his tackles attempted with a couple of line breaks and one near miss on the try line.
Stevenson will start on the right wing in his 50th when the Chiefs run out to an expected strong crowd in Hamilton on Saturday night.
Comments on RugbyPass
South Africa rarely play Ireland and France on these tours. Mostly, England, Scotland and Wales. I wonder why
1 Go to commentsIt was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to comments