Shaun Stevenson on his All Blacks debut, missing the World Cup and his big Super Rugby year
Shaun Stevenson might be the unluckiest player in New Zealand not in the All Blacks in France.
Despite a Super Rugby campaign that saw him score a record-equalling dozen tries for the Chiefs, who beat every team in 2023, he was initially overlooked for selection.
But at least after years of consistency, the Maori All Black can finally call himself an All Black. The gifted and graceful utility debuted in the narrow 23-20 win against Australia in Dunedin prior to the World Cup. His try, receiving a pass from Chiefs teammate Damian McKenzie, was crucial in erasing a 3-17 deficit.
“It was pretty special to get the first one. I had about 30 family fly in from around the country and Australia to watch. Dunedin isn’t the easiest place to get to, so we had a few drams with the Gold Coast whanau,” Stevenson told RugbyPass.
“In the first half, I had a fair bit coming down my side. I hadn’t been training that much on the wing and it took me a while to get a handle on the pace and intensity. When I got more comfortable, I was able to play my natural game.”
Stevenson’s natural game is an uncanny ability to prize open defence with a combination of swift footwork and calculated, intuitive running. His kicking has grown but there is a persistent narrative that he struggles defensively.
“If you look at the stats, I had one of my better years. The issue is not around my tackling, it’s around some micro-skills. It’s nothing major. I just need to keep chipping away,” Stevenson said.
What did Stevenson make of the All Blacks unimaginative, kick-heavy defeat against France at the World Cup? Stevenson ranked in the top ten of Super Rugby for carries, clean breaks, and defenders beaten.
“I’m not too sure what the game plan was but there would have been a reason for lots of kicking. Achieving the right balance between running and territory is important,” Stevenson said.
“It was a close game. There were periods when we had France under the pump. They got all the momentum in the last twenty minutes.”
North Harbour has plenty of momentum in the NPC winning four consecutive matches after four defeats to start the competition. Stevenson scored two tries in their 50-31 thrashing of Northland on Saturday.
This weekend North Harbour challenges unbeaten Wellington for the Ranfurly Shield. Stevenson is determined to right an injustice. North Harbour narrowly lost their last bid for the Log of Wood to Hawke’s Bay in Napier last year.
Despite three tries to Tevita Lee, a lineout drive try to Kianu Kereru-Symes converted by Lincoln McClutchie gave the Magpies a 25-23 victory. Stevenson was yellow-carded just before that try occurred.
“I got the turnover, but the ref saw it differently,” Stevenson complained.
“We felt robbed after that game. We had control but that’s footy.”
North Harbour last held the Shield in 2006 when they upset Canterbury 21-17 in Christchurch. Viliame Waqaseduadua (2) and Rua Tipoki famously snatched intercepts as Canterbury captain Corey Flynn moaned, “We need a kick in the arse.”
North Harbour has only won four out of 22 Ranfurly Shield matches. By contrast, Wellington has won a record 20 consecutive matches and leads the head-to-head history with North Harbour 19-13 – the visitors only winning twice since 2007.
“Tamati Ellison has got the Lions rolling. They’ve got a lot of attacking threats but it’s defense that wins games and they’ve been very good there,” Stevenson said.
“It’s hard to put a finger on why we won all three games in Storm week after losing the first four. I guess there wasn’t a lot in those losses, and we only had a couple of days to get things right during storm week, so we didn’t dwell on error too long. The Waikato game was a turning point for us.
“Having Bryn Gatland back with his direction and experience has been massive for us. Kade Banks, Ben Grant, Shiloh Klien, and a lot of guys have been unreal. We’ve got a few things up our sleeve and we’re definitely heading in the right direction.”
Stevenson has scored 129 points in 58 appearances for North Harbour. With the Chiefs, he has 28 tries in 84 matches. He has scored 70 tries in all first-class rugby.
Comments on RugbyPass
Shows how much attitude matters. Last week the Brumbies got done, this week they dominated the tournament leaders, who were likely thinking they could cruise to victory.
4 Go to commentsA 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.
4 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.
4 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
2 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 comments