'It's been a dream': Quinn Tupaea's rapid rise to the All Blacks
Just four months after his test debut, All Blacks rookie Quinn Tupaea is already staking a claim to become a regular starter in New Zealand’s midfield.
That’s no mean feat, especially when you consider few – himself included – would have expected him to make Ian Foster’s squad ahead of the July test series against Tonga and Fiji.
By that stage, Tupaea had just finished his sophomore Super Rugby season with the Chiefs in a campaign where he had impressed with his eye-catching attacking qualities.
Those attributes made him a schoolboy sensation at Hamilton Boys’ High School, where many began to earmark him as a future superstar in his final year at the established rugby nursery in 2017.
The year after that, he made his provincial debut for Waikato and quickly affirmed himself as a key member for the Mooloos, to the point where he was a headline omission from the Chiefs squad for the 2019 Super Rugby campaign.
That call-up to the Hamilton-based franchise came a year later following a season with the New Zealand U20 side, and his development at that level progressed steadily into this year as the Chiefs reached the Super Rugby Aotearoa final.
In the lead-up to that landmark fixture, Tupaea had starred in a handful of game, most notably against the Blues in Hamilton, where his offloading prowess and tackle-busting ability powered his side to an upset win over the highly-fancied Aucklanders.
Another standout showing came against the lowly Melbourne Rebels during Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, but, even then, it seemed Tupaea was an outside chance at international selection.
Rieko Ioane was beginning to flourish on a consistent basis in his transition from the wing to the midfield, Anton Lienert-Brown remained the most experienced midfielder in New Zealand and David Havili was enjoying career-best form with the Crusaders.
Braydon Ennor’s return from injury also looked to have sewed up Foster’s midfield options, but an ACL rupture to veteran centre Jack Goodhue paved the way for Tupaea to break into Foster’s ranks.
The 22-year-old’s shock at his test call-up was clear to see when a video circulated of him listening to his name being read aloud while in the Maori All Blacks camp ahead of their matches against Manu Samoa in June.
Tupaea’s response was indicative of what could perhaps be viewed as an inevitable All Blacks selection that was fast-tracked as a result of Foster’s thin midfield options, which were cut even shorter when Ennor was ruled out for five weeks with appendicitis.
Rising All Blacks star Braydon Ennor has opened up on his injury struggles that put his test rugby aspirations on hold for more than two years. #AllBlacks #ITAvNZL https://t.co/LD1XrXYw7b
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That led to Tupaea’s test debut against Tonga at Mt Smart Stadium, a match of which the All Blacks won 102-0 as the youngster acquitted himself well from the No 12 jersey in a midfield partnership with Ioane.
Since then, Tupaea has gone from strength-to-strength in his five appearances as an All Black, and he is now seriously being considered as a starting option for his side’s season-ending tests against Ireland and France over the coming fortnight.
His simplistic yet effective playing style of running hard and straight, accompanied by a tidy array of distribution skills, were painfully absent when the All Blacks struggled to cope with the line speed they faced against the Springboks during the Rugby Championship.
Havili was the preferred second-five option in both of those tests in Townsville and on the Gold Coast, and for all the form he showed in the early part of the test campaign, he doesn’t offer the same skill set Tupaea does, which the All Blacks desperately needed against the world champions.
That was clear to see again in Cardiff last weekend when the All Blacks, in spite of their hefty 54-16 win, struggled to punch their way through the tight backline channels without a physical ball-carrier, like Tupaea, in the No 12 jersey.
If he can showcase his strengths against Italy at Stadio Olimpico in Rome this weekend, a test of which he has been named to start alongside Ennor in the midfield, then Foster will find himself under pressure to pick Tupaea in Dublin and Paris.
All of this, keep in mind, comes just a matter of months after Tupaea was deemed to be a rank outsider to even make the All Blacks in the first place, something of which wasn’t lost upon him while speaking to media earlier this week.
“It’s been a crazy few months really,” Tupaea told reporters from Rome on Friday [NZT] of his induction into the All Blacks squad in July.
“Was pretty surprised to be named in the initial squad, but I’ve felt like over my time here over the last few months, I’ve earned my keep and I feel like I’m growing in this environment. Just loving it.”
His time in the All Blacks environment hasn’t come without the nerves and jitters expected of any test newbie, as Tupaea outlined when speaking of his induction into Foster’s squad in July.
If the All Blacks can muster up four tries against Italy on the weekend, they’ll set a new tier-one record for the season – despite still having two matches left to play. #AllBlacks #ITAvNZL https://t.co/xMZs8lGNja
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“Yeah definitely feel a lot more comfortable compared to my first few weeks in the team,” he said.
“I wasn’t as confident back then and I was a bit nervous being in the environment. Now I’ve got about five games under my belt and been in the team for a couple of months.
“It’s definitely eased my nerves, even at trainings and games. Feeling a lot more confident, feel like I fit in the team well.”
Easing into his newfound role as an All Black has been aided by the support of his positional competitors, including Havili, as he and his teammates challenge one another to better themselves on a weekly basis.
“There’s competition for every spot in the All Blacks, even on the bench,” Tupaea said.
“Funny enough, in this environment, everyone helps each other, so me and Davey help each other every week, Ardie and Hoskins would help each other every week. That’s just how it is, we help each other get better in a position.
“This week, I just see it as a great opportunity to put on the black jersey. It’s always been a dream of mine to play for the All Blacks so anytime you get the chance to put on the All Blacks jersey, it’s a special occasion.
“Definitely be looking to put my best foot forward this weekend and showcase my skills.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Brayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
5 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
29 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
5 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to comments