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Friday

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International

Scott Hansen full of praise for 22-year-old All Black loose forward

Henry Lee

171 days ago

Peter Lakai during a New Zealand media conference at Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Chicago, USA. (Photo By Ramsey Cardy_Sportsfile via Getty Images)

The emergence of Hurricanes and All Black loose-forward Peter Lakai has been a bright spot in this year’s end-of-year Grand Slam tour, according to assistant coach Scott Hansen.

The St Pat’s Silverstream graduate first burst onto the scene in 2022 when he was selected for the New Zealand U20’s, before becoming the co-captain f0r the same side in 2023 ahead of the U20 World Championship.

He then made his debut for the Hurricanes in 2023 against the Reds, before making the All Blacks the following year.

Lakai, who has now played seven Tests for the All Blacks, has started the last three games for Robertson’s side, after making his debut on last year’s end-of-year tour against Japan in October.

It’s taken some time for the Hurricanes loose-forward to solidify his spot in an All Black jersey, but after the last couple of performances in Chicago and Edinburgh, Robertson will find it tough to drop Lakai ahead of England at Twickenham and Wales in Cardiff.

The 22-year-old led the tackle count in the game at Murrayfield against Scotland with 21, and won the All Blacks two turnovers at the breakdown during the 80 minutes.

Speaking to Jason Pine on Newstalk ZB’s Weekend Sport show, Hansen explained that some of Lakai’s qualities are “uncoachable”.

“Oh, this has been so pleasing, isn’t it, he’s such a mature young man and he’s a great presence around his game,” Hansen told Pine.

“He’s a natural baller, the way he can present himself onto the ball, how he adjusts the line as a ball carrier he’s got some of those qualities, basically, that are uncoachable.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

Draws

Wins

Average Points scored

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

60%

The All Blacks assistant coach also believes that his prowess at the breakdown is one of his biggest strengths, which only seem to be getting better.

“He’s just a beautiful rugby player, a fantastic young man, defensively he was on the ball, his timing at the breakdown, his understanding and went and how to put pressure on the ball tonight.

“We needed that because we needed the discipline from him there, we didn’t always get it right as a team, but Peter’s a young man that continues to grow his game each week.”

Comments

8 Comments

B A 170 days ago

Another smaller guy who I thought had an outstanding Super and NPC both sides of the ball that dude Lasaqa is dynamite ball in hand ( his lil brother on the wing aint to shabby either ) makes u wish some of them played midfield Vasaqa Iose Flanders would all be fast enough to play in the backs …I hate Canterbury/ Saders with all my heart and soul but Corey Kellow looks the biz hopefully he putting on the beef during off-season and injury

JW 170 days ago

Very similar seasons to Holland and Parker, nothing exceptional to the eye but a constant work rate and skill execution in core roles from these three.

Exciting for how they maybe launch on in the following year or two, but we don’t want to be going into games with too many at this stage. The teams needs the likes of the Sititi performances to provide and edge that keeps other sides honest.

I would have preferred the likes of Sotutu, but theyre really aren’t a lot of other 8s out their demanding inclusion over these hybrids. I’d have to say there’s been a lack of development of the Wrampling-Alec’s, Suafoa’s, Semisi etc as 8’s in New Zealand rugby. Even thinking bigger, comparatively to the world, the likes of the Sa boys, Eti etc would have the aglity and skills to be brough up as 8’s. How can this be after having Kieran Read starred for so long? So many that do come through as power 8s like like Bason, 1.88m and maxed out on strength already at like 110kg. I remember watching Te Mara Reuben debut for Counties and thought I’d like to see this guy off the back of a scrum. They’re all physically fit though, only Semisi would have that extra mass tacked on top which makes him harder to stop, wider. A couple of talents I’d like to see given opportunites to focus solely on a carry role would be Finau and Saifoloi at Crusaders/Waikato. Actually that reminds me young Lauaki is probably the best example of such a player, has he been picked up this week? The team missed him against Otago when Jacobsen came in from the ABs, really would have wanted to move Mitch to the bench instead but he was the captain lol

GM 170 days ago

Agreed. We have too many athletic undersized locks who don’t get a chance to play 6 or 8 at Super level (Vaii, Ah Kuoi, Barrett, etc) and get some experience there. A great example is Gallagher - why did it take Canterbury so long to try him at 6? Maybe he wouldn't have gone off-shore if he’d seen a pathway to No. 6 earlier. This is particularly true now, when we’ve got a number of locks who have true international stature.

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