How the Blues won a three-way tug-of-war to secure one of New Zealand's brightest young talents
It’s little coincidence that Taranaki’s thrilling Ranfurly Shield victory over Canterbury in last year’s Mitre 10 Cup coincided with Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens’ first standout showing at provincial level.
Aged just 19, the former New Zealand Schools representative bagged two first half tries to help steer a star-studded Taranaki side to a famous 23-22 win in Christchurch as they reclaimed the Lod ‘o Wood for the first time since 2018.
“I just let Beaudy [Beauden Barrett] do all the work,” Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens told RugbyPass as he reflected his part in the victory.
“I was just trying to be there on his shoulder.”
While Barrett, the superstar All Blacks playmaker, was responsible for assisting the second of Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens’ two tries, it still took a valiant effort and finishing nous from the teenager to get across the line both times.
Those attributes, combined with his speed, footwork and impressive composure, were all presumably what Blues head coach Leon MacDonald took note of that day, as it was that performance that kickstarted a three-way tug-of-war for Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens’ signature at Super Rugby level.
Until then, the ex-Francis Douglas Memorial College pupil had a foot in the camps of two of the Blues’ local rivals.
Hailing from the Taranaki region, Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens spent his childhood as an avid Hurricanes fan, as the province was aligned with the Wellington-based franchise during his youth.
That was until the 2013, when the Taranaki Rugby Union shifted allegiance to the Chiefs to help form the Chiefs Rugby Club Limited Partnership with a group of private investors and provincial unions.
In doing so, Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens went on to represent the Chiefs at schoolboy level, prior to making the New Zealand Schools sides of 2018 and 2019.
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“Obviously I grew up in the ‘Naki quite a loyal Hurricanes fan, and then when we moved into the Chiefs region, went through the Chiefs U17, U18 sides in high school,” he said.
Given his admiration for the Hurricanes and his presence in the Chiefs region, both franchises were aware of Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens’ talents and made ploys to recruit him in just his first year out of school.
Then, as Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens put it, “the Blues kind of came out of nowhere”.
“It was actually after we took the Shield off Canterbury, I think Leon was in contact with my agent, asking ‘Who is this guy?’, and all that, and I didn’t really think too much of it.
“I was more, at the time, stoked to win the Shield and beat Canterbury, and then it all kind of kicked off from there.”
While the prospect of living in Auckland isn’t something that had crossed his mind while growing up, Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens said it made sense to sign with the Blues ahead of the Chiefs and Hurricanes, despite their eagerness to land their man.
“I guess living in Auckland wasn’t something I never really saw myself doing, but those were the three clubs I had to choose from and it took me a few months, just kind of weighing up little things.
“We had a few offers that my agent sent to me and tried to narrow it down from three teams to two and then two to one, so that’s why the process took long, was just weighing up small things, but ultimately went with Auckland, the Blues.”
Turning down the teams he grew up in awe of and represented at youth level is something Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens describes as “easily the toughest thing I’ve had to do in my life so far”, but it has proven to be a good call thus far.
Now living in Auckland’s city centre with teammates Stephen Perofeta and Emoni Narawa, Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens said “he’s pretty happy” with how things are going as the Blues continue their pre-season training.
Every year, at least one Super Rugby rookie earns All Blacks honours at the first time of asking – but who exactly could make that step up this time round? #AllBlacks #SuperRugby https://t.co/oOgi9orwqL
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 9, 2021
The move to New Zealand’s biggest city was made easier by the fact that Perofeta, a Taranaki teammate of Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, was also part of the Blues squad and was keen to live with the Super Rugby rookie.
“When I told him I was coming up to Auckland, he was like, ‘Oh yeah, that’ll be us living together’, and I think this is his fifth pre-season, so he’s becoming a bit of a veteran,” Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens said.
“It’s been good. Obviously a long way from the ‘Naki, but now I know, kind of, the route to training and back. It took a week, but I’m enjoying it, it’s good to be with these two boys as well.”
All three players have had their work cut out for them in the early stages of the year, though, as the Blues have been put through their paces in the form of Bronco fitness tests and a gruelling mud run in Devonport.
While halfback Jonathan Ruru clinched this year’s Bronco title in the absence of record-holder Barrett with a rapid time of 4min 16sec, Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens was content with his 4min 29sec effort.
“Coming off a New Years and Christmas break, pretty happy with that.”
With seven weeks until the Blues kick their 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign off against the Hurricanes in Wellington, Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens is yet to fully establish what he wants to get out of his first season of fully professional rugby.
However, being part of a competitive outside back cohort that features a raft of high-potential prospects including Narawa, Caleb Clarke, Mark Telea, Zarn Sullivan and AJ Lam, Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens hopes to make the most of the chances handed to him.
“First I just want to get through this pre-season, because it just drags on, and then first and foremost would just be a debut,” he said.
“Whatever comes from that, whether it be a try, a starting jersey, I kind of want to take that debut opportunity and make the most of it and whatever comes from that I’d be pretty stoked with.”
Comments on RugbyPass
A Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
2 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood 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.
2 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 comments