Stephen Donald spots key aspect of why Caleb Tangitau is 'exciting'

Former All Black World Cup-winning first-five Stephen Donald has provided his take on the in-form attributes of Highlanders winger Caleb Tangitau, after two impressive performances under Jamie Joseph in 2026.

Tangitau has scored in both Super Rugby Pacific contests to start the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season, crossing against the Crusaders in round one and the Chiefs in round two.

The 22-year-old winger was an option for the All Blacks on their 2025 end-of-year tour, but former head coach Scott Robertson opted to keep the winger in the All Black XV side, where he scored three tries in his two appearances.

The speedster, who plays his provincial rugby for Auckland in the Bunnings NPC, has scored eight tries for the Super Rugby Pacific franchise from the deep south in nine appearances.

Speaking on his weekly podcast, The Aftermatch with Kirst & Beav, Donald believes that there’s a part of Tangitau’s game that you probably don’t see online.

“But what’s probably underestimated if you have never seen him live, is how big he is and I mentioned yesterday, when you see Will Jordan live, he’s a big unit through the hips and the legs and Tangitau is not not too dissimilar,” Donald said.

“All that means is, when he’s going that fast, you’ve got to really get a decent shoulder on, or else they’re going to break any arm tackles and Tangitau did that on a couple of occasions, so it is exciting.”

The 42-year-old rugby pundit and commentator adds that Tangitau deserves to be more than just in the conversation for higher honours.

“Certainly, if he wasn’t on the radar of whoever our next All Blacks coach is going to be, I think he’s properly in consideration now,” Donald explained.

“I mean, in isolation, what a treat it was to be there and see the four wingers on show all four of them. When you think about the quality, it was absolutely outstanding.

“But there was something about that try from Tangitau you’re right, Jeff, when he just said, right, we need something with just five minutes to go, two converted tries to win them the game, he just went bang.

“He’s clearly as fast as anyone in this country.”

Player Line Breaks

1

Caleb Tangitau

3

2

Kyren Taumoefolau

3

3

Quinn Tupaea

2

Current Sky Sport commentator and rugby analyst Jeff McTainsh described the Highlander winger as “pure gas”, amidst all of the current discussions surrounding players leaving New Zealand shores.

“We talk about the changes of players heading overseas, Sevu Reece and others but Caleb Tangitau I saw this kid play at Westlake boys when I started out calling college footy, and you could tell then he had the size and the pace,” McTainsh said on the Aftermatch Podcast with Kirst & Beav.

“But to do that at Forsyth Barr Stadium to break through the line from 40 out and score. I guess just an old school pin your ears back son, pure gas tries, you can’t teach pace and he’s got it.”