'Hard work always beats talent': New Zealand U20's new hat-trick hero from humble beginnings

New Zealand won the Under-20 Rugby Championship with an epic 48-45 victory over South Africa at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha.

New Zealand rallied from 19-0 behind and survived the dying stages with only 13 players in a herculean triumph.

Winger Harlyn Saunoa scored a hat-trick, remarkably replaced at half-time by a first five-eighth, Rico Simpson.

“The coaches had their reasons. This is preparation for the World Cup. We have talent across the squad, so we make sure those players are on the field,” Saunoa told RugbyPass.

“Rico Simpson had an impact when he came on. Involving Rico was definitely part of the game plan.”

Simpson set up the first try after half-time with a grubber kick for winger Maloni Kunawave. It was a score that propelled New Zealand ahead for the first time.

The ‘Baby Blacks’ wouldn’t have been close if it weren’t for Saunoa’s first-half heroics. His trifecta was completed in 22 minutes after a manic start by South Africa, which saw the hosts score three tries in a dozen minutes.

“Throughout the week, we were expecting South Africa to come out punching after that loss to Australia. They have some big boys who get a lot of go-forward. They had the most post-contact meters in the competition,” Saunoa said.

“Still, it was definitely a shock to be that far behind. We went to our processes, trusted our leaders. There wasn’t much talking, just breathing, and an urgency to fix a few things.”

Saunoa rated his first try that closed the gap to 19-7 as his favourite of the three.

“Our halfback, Charlie Sinton, threw a blindside pass to me. I jumped over their centre. I wasn’t sure I got it. I was watching the big screen. It was cool when it was rewarded.

“The other two were easy walk-overs. The boys did most of the work. By half-time, we knew we were in the chase. When we had the ball, we were devastating.”

When New Zealand didn’t have possession, tackling appeared voluntary. The last dozen minutes were chaos, too, with Caleb Woodley and Randall Baker both carded.

“It was a real hard watch. We had to dig deep. When our halfback nearly didn’t kick it out, it was a world of emotions. To get the win was unreal,” Saunoa said.

In recent times, only the 27-26 win over France at the 2024 World Championship could rival the excitement of Sunday’s victory.

Saunoa’s hat-trick is the most notable since All Blacks hooker Asafo Aumua bagged three tries in the 64-17 demolition of England in the 2017 World Championship final.

Not bad for a lad born in Levin and raised by his uncle and aunt in Auckland, who attended a school not known for its rugby prowess, Botany Downs College.

“I never used a lack of reputation as an excuse not to put my all out there. I’ve been fortunate to be given a lot of opportunities along the way, and show you can make it in rugby from a small school,” Saunoa said.

“We were in 1B, the division below big schools like Sacred Heart and St Kent’s. We won the competition. I always played on the wing. Hard work always beats talent. There’s always someone watching.”

Coach Logan Fui had a major impact on Saunoa’s upward trajectory.

“He’s a real father figure. He’s really knowledgeable in his coaching style. The way he coaches is with love. He teaches us respect on and off the field. His presence creates an amazing vibe. I love him to death.”

Saunoa plays his senior club rugby for Pakuranga, who were runners-up to unbeaten Ponsonby in the 2024 Gallaher Shield.

He performed strongly for the Blues in Super Rugby Under-20 in March, scoring two tries in a 48-45 win over the Highlanders and starting the remaining two matches – a narrow 45-43 loss to eventual winners the Crusaders in the semi-finals and a 43-38 win over the Hurricanes in the playoff for the third.

The New Zealand Under-20s start their World Championship campaign with a meeting against hosts Italy on June 25.