'I don't want to go out there and change': Shaun Stevenson's plan for his All Blacks debut
Shaun Stevenson is set to become an All Black after being named in the No 14 jersey to face the Wallabies on Saturday afternoon but the Chiefs flyer isn’t going to change his approach.
After lighting up Super Rugby Pacific this season the prolific try-scorer nicknamed ‘Shooter’ after try-scoring celebrations plans to remain true to himself.
The 26-year-old played mostly as a fullback this year but finished a few games out on the wing, a position familiar to him after 83 Super caps since his debut in 2016.
“I wouldn’t say much changes, just have to learn a few more roles on the wing,” Stevenson said of the transition between fullback and wing.
“Like the boys have said, my footy has just got me to this point in my career and I don’t want to go out there and change.
“Because it’s my first game I’m going to go out there and play my footy in the structures.
“A few new roles to learn but apart from that I’m just going to play my natural game.”
Stevenson has had to be patient for a chance to make his debut after four weeks in camp following his call-up as injury cover ahead of the trip to Argentina.
He missed initial quad selection but doubts over Mark Telea’s fitness gave him a second chance, something that head coach Ian Foster said he has made the most of.
“It’s just one of those things in life, you’ve got to roll with the punches,” he said of his journey this year
“Obviously I was gutted not to make the initial squad, but you can’t dwell on it too long.
“I got an opportunity to come into this camp and put my best foot forward in front of the coaches.
“They gave me a few work ons to do, so the last four weeks I’ve just been trying to learn as much as I can and critique those things they saw in my game.”
“Just grateful to get an opportunity.”
It’s been an emotional week for the Stevenson family as the ultimate dream has finally come to life after eight years of life as a professional rugby player and Super Rugby.
The culmination of a dream will come true when he runs out at Forsyth Barr Stadium in the black jersey for the first time.
The last two All Blacks debutants in the No 14 jersey, Mark Telea and Emoni Narawa, both scored on their debuts.
The previous right wing to do it was Nehe Milner-Skudder, who scored on debut against the Wallabies in Sydney in 2015.
“Obviously a few tears, my dad and my poppa. I don’t hear my dad cry that much, shed a few tears over the phone, it was pretty special,” Stevenson recalled of his call to tell his family.
“The last four weeks have really been a grind in a way. Obviously just really stoked to get a crack in this environment, not just for myself but for my family, all my mates that have been along on the journey with me.
“Still hasn’t quite sunk in yet, probably won’t until we get to the game and finally run out.”
Comments on RugbyPass
The first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
31 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
31 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
31 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to comments