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'Hits a little bit different': Luatua on Manu Samoa win
A change in eligibility laws has given new life to the international careers of many former All Blacks who hail from the mighty Pasifika nations.
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Steven Luatua donned the black jersey 15 times between 2013 and 2016 before switching allegiance to Manu Samoa in 2022.
Luatua and comany got their Rugby World Cup campaign off to a winning start with a 43-10 victory over Chile in round two. A 19-10 haftime lead was blown out in a scoring spree just after the break, with three tries – four if you include the Duncan Paia’aua’s effort after the halftime whistle – in 10 minutes displaying the brutal force of the Samoan forward pack.
A rare alley-oop try to halfback Jonathan Taumateine to start the second period showed the innovation and athleticism of the group.
The win has Samoa sitting third in their pool with Tests against Argentina, Japan and England remining.
A Rugby World Cup debut with his home country was a special moment for Luatua.
“It was pretty cool today,” Luatua told NZR+’s The Front Row Daily Show. “That was pretty cool. I’m not going to lie.
“Obviously, I grew up in New Zealand, learning the haka and having massive respect for Maori culture, but to be able to do it for my own culture, the Manu Siva Tau, just hits a little bit different.”
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A veteran of the game with worldly rugby experience, Luatua has a lot of wisdom to offer his new team. That doesn’t necessarily translate to any additional pressure on the versatile forward to contribute in a leadership sense though.
“I wouldn’t say pressure, maybe a little bit. I wouldn’t necessarily tell the boys what to do but if they pick up a few things here and there from what I do off the field, so be it you know.”
Prior to his days in the All Blacks, Luatua was involved in two New Zealand U20 campaigns. In both 2010 and 2011, the Baby Blacks went all the way to win the World Championhsip with Luatua one of many famous names to emerge from the side.
In fact, nine of the starting XV from the 2011 side are at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, reprsesting four different nations.
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Codie Taylor, Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane and Beauden Barrett are not just in the All Blacks but are established members of the team’s starting XV.
Ben Tameifuna and Charles Piutau are lining up for Tonga, also as starters. Luatua is joined by Lima Sopoaga with Manu Samoa while Gareth Anscombe is representing Wales.
Now aged 32, Luatua takes inspiration from his former teammates as he navigates the tail end of a storied career.
“For me, it’s class seeing all the boys still representing and still playing on the world stage.
“It just gives me a lot of confidence,” he said. “I’ve been out of the game for a while in terms of internationals and Test rugby, but to see the boys still doing it at our age, I was like sweet, maybe I can too.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Good summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
1 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
8 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
8 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
5 Go to comments