Five All Blacks that had everyone talking after their maiden matches
Steve Hansen blooded 76 new All Blacks during his eight years in charge.
Some have gone on to forge decorated international careers, others had fewer opportunities to showcase their talents on the highest stage.
The Season, Brisbane Boys’ College: A compelling team performance from the First XV in Round 1 eases the injury concerns from the previous week, while the boys are thrust into the industrious rhythm of the school term.
An 87% win-rate between 2012 and 2019 is indicative of an exceptionally talented crop of men that Hansen had at his disposal, and even the bit-part players would be square up well against the best from around the world.
And while a lengthy career with the New Zealand national side would be favourable for many players, it’s often the one-off exceptional performances that stand out in many people’s minds.
Those performances are even more memorable when they occur on a player’s debut.
Which of the men that Steve Hansen brought into the fold stood out the most from their first Test caps?
Julian Savea
v Ireland (2012)
‘The Bus’ had plenty of raps on him before he arrived on the international scene.
In the 2010 Junior World Championship, Savea topped the try-scoring charts with eight to his name and was subsequently named the Junior Player of the Year.
His Super Rugby debut for the Hurricanes came a year later but it was until 2012, after Hosea Gear departed, that Savea really showed his abilities, scoring nine tries.
Hansen’s first-ever All Blacks squad included several debutants – Savea among them – and the sizeable left-wing wasted no time announcing his finishing capabilities to the world.
Savea scored three tries and ran for 127-metres in New Zealand’s 42-10 thrashing of the touring Irish despite being on the field for just three-quarters of the match.
Despite not being known for his defensive prowess, he also put a monster hit on Rob Kearney. While positioning may not be Savea’s strength, he’ll certainly knock you down a peg if you run straight into him.
Savea, who now plays for Toulon in France, amassed 46 tries in 54 appearances for the All Blacks – arguably the most impressive strike rate of any wing on the international stage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1b4wHF_tqQ
Tom Taylor
v Australia (2013)
Tom Taylor, as a Canterbury first five, was always destined to wear the silver fern.
In his stint with the world champion New Zealand Under 20 side in 2009, Taylor played second fiddle to Aaron Cruden. This was also a trend in the adult squad, with Taylor earning selection in the All Blacks in part due to injuries to Cruden, Beauden Barrett and Dan Carter.
Taylor’s debut in New Zealand’s second Bledisloe Cup match with Australia in 2013. The Crusader was a late addition to the squad (alongside Colin Slade) after the All Blacks’ other 10s were all struck down with injury.
There’s arguably no tougher position to play as a rookie than first five, especially when you’ve had limited time within a team environment, but Taylor put on probably the most composed display we’d seen from an All Blacks pivot on debut since Luke McAlister’s debut during the 2005 British and Irish Lions Tour.
Taylor may not have exactly set the world alight, but he challenged the line, organised the backline well and kicked his goals – everything you’d want from a first five playing his 50th Test, but not necessarily what you’d expect from a debutant.
Taylor kicked 14 points, helping New Zealand to a 27-16 win in Wellington.
He mustered just 38 more minutes of action for the All Blacks over his international career, thanks to the queue of experienced, talented operators ahead of him. Taylor relocated to France after the 2015 World Cup and now represents Pau.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYMKAypphEY
Lima Sopoaga
v South Africa (2015)
Like Taylor two years prior, Lima Sopoaga was thrust into the cauldron for his Test debut, being handed the reins to start against the Springboks in Johannesburg.
Unlike Taylor, however, Sopoaga wasn’t the last man standing – he forced his way into the team on the back of an outstanding Super Rugby campaign for the Highlanders.
Entering the game, South Africa had lost their two previous fixtures and were intent on preventing a third loss on the trot – something they’d not experienced since the 2011 season.
Still, Steve Hansen and his fellow selectors needed to test whether Sopoaga was someone they could call upon for the upcoming World Cup if their first three choices went down injured – and the Wellington-born pivot didn’t let them down.
Sopoaga slotted 5 of his 7 shots at goal, including a crucial, long-range conversion in the 74th minute to push NZ four points clear of the home side and outside the range of a penalty or drop goal.
It was hard to find fault with Sopoaga’s performance after the match but the Highlander unluckily missed out on selection in the World Cup squad.
Sopoaga headed overseas in 2018 and now represents the Wasps in England.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkcDYFIwiSE
Anton Lienert-Brown
v Australia (2016)
Anton Lienert-Brown made his Super Rugby debut at just 18 years of age so it’s no surprise that he eventually made the step up to the national side.
His elevation came on the back of injuries to several other players – which is something of a theme in this list.
Lienert-Brown made his debut against Australia after Sonny Bill Williams was injured playing sevens and Ryan Crotty was invalided due to concussion. The Christchurch Boys’ High student started in an inexperienced midfield alongside Malakai Fekitoa – who had just 16 appearances to his name at the time.
Lienert-Brown, who was 21 when he first got the call-up, looked at home in the black jersey and made an instant impact, setting up a try for Israel Dagg with his first touch.
Now 24 years old, Lienert-Brown is the sole player on this list to have made it to the 2019 World Cup where he started in New Zealand’s quarter- and semi-final matches.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hFOVnHW1UM
Karl Tu’inukuafe
v France (2018)
It’s fair to say that most people don’t expect too much from props in their debut matches – especially when they’re named on the bench and have only really burst onto the professional scene earlier that year.
Karl Tu’inukuafe bucked all expectations and stood out for the All Blacks when he entered the fray against France and helped dominated the blue scrum.
Tu’inukuafe started the year without a Super Rugby contract but was called into the Chiefs after they had some injury issues of their own. Big Karl’s form catapulted him into contention for the national side and Tim Perry’s subsequent issues saw Tu’inukuafe named to make his debut off the bench.
The 135kg prop came onto the field in the 46th minute and instantly helped the NZ scrum earn a penalty off their French counterparts.
Come the end of the match, Tu’inukuafe could hold his head high having bested some considerably more experienced front-rowers than he.
The big man remains in New Zealand despite missing out on last year’s World Cup and looked impressive for the Blues in the early stages of this year’s Super Rugby season.
Comments on RugbyPass
Beautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to comments