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Video interview: Richard Kahui talks 2011 - 'I would have been the slowest winger at the World Cup'
Despite Richard Kahui’s career being blighted by injury, the Tokoroa-born midfielder managed to keep his body mostly in check for arguably the most important season of his career – 2011, when New Zealand played host to the Rugby World Cup.
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Kahui announced himself on the scene in 2006 after topping the try-scoring charts in Waikato’s Air New Zealand Cup title-winning run. With so much uncertainty around the All Blacks’ centre jersey at the time due to Tana Umaga’s recent retirement, there were even calls that the then-22-year-old could be a surprise pick for the 2007 World Cup in France.
Regardless of what the selectors’ plans may have been for Kahui, injury ruled him out for most of the 2007 season – but that gave the midfielder time to re-focus and set his sights on the New Zealand 13 jersey.
Of course, Kahui wasn’t the only player trying to stake a claim to anchor the All Blacks’ backline.
“For me, Conrad Smith’s been the greatest centre in New Zealand of all time – his durability, his performance-level, everything,” Kahui told RugbyPass in an exclusive interview chronicling his experiences in the lead up to and during 2011.
“I was obviously coming through at the same time [as Smith] and I wanted to be the All Blacks centre.”
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As has been the story of Kahui’s career, injuries restricted the proud Waikato-man from ever mounting a sustained challenge against Smith, who probably should have been entrusted the 13 jumper at the failed World Cup in France.
“2008, had a good year, I felt like we were in a position where, at least performance-wise, we were neck-and-neck,” Kahui said. “That was sort of the message that the coaches gave me.”
“2009, had a good Super Rugby, injured in the final, missed the All Blacks. 2010 was sort of similar.
“2011, I thought, if it’s going to happen, it has to happen now. I still wanted to be – and believed I could be – the starting 13.”
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By then, Kahui had managed just 11 appearances – a number which could have been triple the size if he had not been plagued by shoulder injuries.
“I was playing so-so sort of Super Rugby, then Wayne Smith said to me they were trying to get Sitiveni [Sivivatu] fit for the June tests,” said Kahui.
“He said ‘all right, I want you to go with Sitiveni to the Mount and do fitness training with Titch and the sevens team.”
Ever wondered what life was like for former @AllBlacks midfielder Richard Kahui, having season after season cut short due to injuries? https://t.co/1zu2zOnuNV
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 17, 2019
While doing a small stint with the New Zealand’s sevens side has reinvigorated a few All Blacks’ careers, it almost had the opposite effect on Kahui.
“We go over there and it’s pouring rain and it’s muddy and someone dropped the ball and I went to accelerate to take off and I blew my hammy,” said Kahui. “I’d never done a hammy in my life and I blew my hammy.”
After eyeing up the 2011 season as the one year that he desperately needed to stay injury-free, things weren’t looking good for Kahui, with only five matches left to play on the international calendar before the World Cup kicked off.
“I missed all of the Tri-Nations [as well as a match against Fiji] except one game – and that one game they were naming the World Cup team after,” said Kahui.
“Fortunately enough, I was named to play – but I actually felt lucky to even make the All Blacks. Whereas, before that season started, I genuinely felt like I had a really good opportunity if I played well in those tests that I’d be able to outperform [Smith].
“It didn’t happen – I got injured again and never had the opportunity – but then I think it all worked out well in the end anyway. For those seven games [at the World Cup], Conrad was easily one of the best players on the field. His combination with Ma’a [Nonu], with Dan [Carter] gone, was a real crucial part of that 2011 side.”
Of course, Kahui didn’t end up watching the tournament from the sidelines, the stands or the television set – he played a major role in the All Blacks securing their first World Cup title since the inaugural competition way back in 1987.
Only a select group of men get the chance to don the #AllBlacks' 11 &10 jerseys – fewer still get the chance to wear both.
Jordie Barrett revealed to @TomVinicombe the moment he realised how important the number on your back is when you're playing for NZ.https://t.co/u32WecYgJZ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 21, 2020
“The shining light for me was because Conrad was so good in earlier years, I’d played a few more tests on the wing – and that gave me the opportunity to play on the wing [at the World Cup],” Kahui said.
“Fortunately enough, the ball went my way in the first test and from there, I was kind of given the nod ahead of everybody else which, still to this day, blows my mind. I would have been the slowest winger at the World Cup but was given the opportunity and fortunately enough in 2011 it was about high balls and defence. That was something I was particularly good at.”
While speed certainly wasn’t Kahui’s top attribute, he was certainly no slouch on the rugby pitch either and performed superbly on the left wing during the 2011 competition. One of the competition highlights was undoubtedly when the 6-foot-2 utility back crunched Australia’s Quade Cooper in a perfectly timed tackle during the semi-final to help the All Blacks win a turn-over.
Just being fit enough to get on the park was a milestone for Kahui but being able to do it for New Zealand in a home Rugby World Cup was something else altogether – and it was all capped off when the All Blacks secured a narrow victory over France thanks to a kick from Kahui’s close friend, Stephen Donald.
“If I look back at my whole career – and of course I’ve got regrets about things I should’ve done differently and if I hadn’t been injured – at least for those 7 weeks I was fit and I have a great memory of it,” Kahui said.
“And the greatest memory, other than winning, is having my mate run out in a size small t-shirt and coming on during the game and winning Rugby World Cup 2011.”
Comments on RugbyPass
SBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
4 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
11 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
11 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
4 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
11 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
11 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
11 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
11 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
11 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
11 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
11 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
11 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to comments