Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi's 'fresh start' arrives at the Crusaders
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi’s career with the Chiefs started with a bang, with the quick-passing halfback earning himself a call-up to the All Blacks following his first season in Hamilton in 2018. Since then, however, the 26-year-old has struggled for minutes. Now, having shifted south to the Crusaders, Tahuriorangi is hoping to reignite his career.
On Friday evening, Tahuriorangi will take the first steps towards doing just that when he runs out as a Crusader for the first time in their clash with Super Rugby newbies Moana Pasifika.
“It’s an awesome opportunity for a lot of us who haven’t been playing the last couple of weeks to put our hands up for selections for [the coming] weeks,” Tahuriorangi said on Wednesday.
The halfback is one of four debutants named for the fixture, alongside reserves Dominic Gardiner, Kini Naholo and Isaiah Punivai, while the bulk of the side is made up of players who haven’t featured significantly for the Crusaders over the past two seasons. Despite the number of inexperienced players in the side, however, Tahuriorangi says the Crusaders are making sure they’re preparing as digently as ever in expectations for Friday evening when they’ll come up against a team who have yet to make their Super Rugby debut after Covid forced the postponement of their opening two games of the year.
“We’re not taking this team lightly. This Moana Pasifika team have nothing to lose. They’ve got no pressure on them so for us that can be quite scary if we don’t get our prep right but we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
For Tahuriorangi himself, 2022 is an opportunity to start afresh after playing second-fiddle to Chiefs co-captain Brad Weber throughout 20198 and 2020, and finding himself also slipping behind Xavier Roe in the pecking order last year.
“I guess a bit of it is the uncontrollables,” Tahuriorangi explained his lack of gametime over the past three season. “2019, 2020, I was carrying an injury and that put me out of selection and I guess the last couple of years, Webby has been playing awesome and credit to him. It was pretty tough to find game time and obviously with Covid and all that stuff too, that was uncontrollable.
“Lastly, it’s probably just good for me to have a fresh start with the Crusaders, being away from family, and kind of just focus on my self … It’s been real refreshing being able to come down here with no pressure and expectations and just putting my best foot forward to get minutes and game time. That’s kind of where I’m at at the moment.”
Having lost Ereatara Enari to Moana Pasifika at the end of last season, Crusaders coach Scott Robertson could have looked to sign a young halfback to back up the likes of Bryn Hall and Mitchell Drummond for 2022 (and he did try to lure new Chief Cortze Ratima south). Robertson, however, saw value in bringing an off-contract Tahuriorangi south to help bring out the best in the team’s stocks at No 9.
“I knew him from the U20s, we had a previous relationship, and it was a chance for him to have a little bit of a fresh start,” Robertson said. “He’d come back into a new environment, I talked to [Chiefs coach] Clayton [McMillan] about it and we felt the best thing for him was to restart his career.
“He can play at All Black level, and the challenge of coming down here and being a Crusader was something he needed in his life, so him and his wife and his wee one have settled in here and making most of the opportunity. Just for him to compete with a couple of different halfbacks and try to every day, that’s been a real positive for him. We’ve got clear standards that we have around the place that are driven by the players, and he’s risen to it and helped them push it as well.”
Tahuriorangi has quickly adjusted to life with the Crusaders and Robertson says that’s helping to bring the best out of him – and the teammates around him.
“Te Toiroa’s been awesome. In his own little way, he’s just slowly built the connections with the group. His cheekiness is just starting to come out now, which I love about him. He’s got great timing and a good little bit of wit, and he takes it onto the field, the way he plays, got a great running game, and his confidence is built around the group to be himself, so I’m excited for him.”
While Moana Pasifika are the designated home side for the match, it will take place under the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin – something which Tahuriorangi believes will allow for a smooth start to his Crusaders career.
“There’s no better way to play a bit of running footy. All I have to do is pass the ball to guys like Simon Hickey, Richie Mo’unga, run up the middle and reap the rewards off them,” the former All Black joked.
Friday’s match kicks off at 7:05pm NZT.
Comments on RugbyPass
Interesting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
12 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
15 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
12 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
12 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
15 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
12 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
2 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to comments