Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi's quest for redemption
In 2018, Chiefs halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi was selected in the New Zealand national side for the first time.
After earning a handful of starts for the Chiefs, Tahuriorangi was brought into the All Blacks to back-up Smith and TJ Perenara after Tawera Kerr-Barlow left New Zealand’s shores at the end of 2017.
Tahuriorangi, who had spent two years with the Hurricanes before making the move north, was praised by Steve Hansen for his wickedly fast pass which rivalled that of even Aaron Smith.
Although Tahuriorangi was never expected to seriously challenge for a starting role, it was clear that he had been anointed the heir-apparent to the more experienced duo leaping ahead of the likes of Bryn Hall, Mitchell Drummond and Chiefs teammate Brad Weber.
Then everything turned to custard in 2019.
Continue reading below…
Chiefs coach Colin Cooper gave Weber the first opportunity to start at halfback and the 28-year-old took the opportunity with both hands.
Weber’s sumptuous form coupled with his extra few years of experience over Tahuriorangi saw the sometimes-stand-in captain start in all but a handful of the Chiefs’ matches.
Tahuriorangi, who had fought his way onto level pegging with Weber in 2018, was restricted to fewer than three full games of football throughout last year’s Super Rugby season.
Then came the coup de grace.
On August 28th, the All Blacks World Cup squad was announced. Tahuriorangi was nowhere to be seen – Weber had taken his place.
New Zealand's third choice halfback, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, played the equivalent of only eight full games of professional rugby in 2018 and game time has been equally hard to come by this season at the Chiefs. https://t.co/p9smDCvHlo
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 12, 2019
By Tahuriorangi’s own admission, 2019 did not go to plan.
“Last year wasn’t my year,” Tahuriorangi told RugbyPass.
“I guess for me, it’s just making sure I turn it around this year and have a different kind of mindset and attitude and keep putting that pressure on. Just making sure I control what I can control and doing my best and putting my best foot forward.”
Despite the obvious disappointment that Tahuriorangi felt surrounding both the Super Rugby and international seasons, the Rotorua-born scrumhalf didn’t let his head drop – he still has plenty of time to make a comeback.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B74dZlgg-t2/
“Everyone thinks I’m kind of old,” said Tahuriorangi. “I’ve been in the Super Rugby environment for a while, first with the Hurricanes for two years then here for a few years, but I’m still young.”
Tahuriorangi, for reference, is just 24-years-old.
While Weber was mostly clocking up time with the other dirty-dirties at the World Cup, Tahuriorangi was throwing himself into a Mitre 10 Cup campaign with Taranaki and honing his skills for the year ahead.
And although Tahuriorangi would have no doubt loved to have been in Japan with the All Blacks, his time with the Bulls may have actually been a blessing in disguise.
Tahuriorangi racked up eight starts and 10 appearances for the amber-and-blacks, which was the most successive game-time he’d accrued since the 2017 provincial season.
New @ChiefsRugby recruit Quinn Tupaea could add an extra dimension to the Chiefs midfield for their 2020 @SuperRugby campaign. @TomVinicombe spoke to the 20-year-old ahead of the upcoming season.
https://t.co/jIEAWhJ5fr#SuperRugby— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 3, 2020
He’s now taken part in a full pre-season with the Chiefs and enters 2020 with a fresh mind, fresh body and a lofty goal..
“My ultimate goal is obviously getting back into the All Blacks,” said Tahuriorangi, “but it’s also about having little plans.
“How you come to training is just as important as your ultimate goal, because in order to be chosen [for the All Blacks], you’ve got to be playing, and the only way you can play is if you train well.
“When you’ve got halfbacks out there that are chasing the same goals as you, it keeps you on your toes – and that’s awesome, I live for that stuff.”
2020 was supposed to be somewhat of a comeback year for Nathan Harris. Instead, he'll be spending the #SuperRugby season on the sidelines.https://t.co/EL0sZ0Om6N @ChiefsRugby
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 28, 2020
Equally as importantly, the former Rotorua Boys’ High student wants to achieve balance in his professional and personal lives.
“It’s hard to do that mahi, do that work, unless you’re getting the balance right off the field; being a good father, being a good person.
“Last year, my wife Keely probably took it all when I wasn’t playing. I wasn’t quite being myself. I knew I had to come in and always have the attitude of wanting to play. Now that I’ve experienced that, I know how to handle it and channel it in a positive way.”
Tahuriorangi understandably credits the strong support team he has around him for helping him get to where he his today and suggests they have just as major a role to play in his future successes.
“I can happily say that if it wasn’t for [Keely], who knows what I would have done,” said Tahuriorangi.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7mxmDJAswi/
“When times were tough, she was the one that kept me on true north and made sure all my goals were measurable.
“I’ve got great mentors too: my uncle Lee Edmonds, my father Paerata and my father-in-law Tom. They pushed me when times were tough but when times were good too.
“When I made my All Blacks debut, they were the guys that were telling me ‘stay humble’. It’s guys like that that can keep you grounded – when you’re high and when you’re low.
“It’s not just a one-man journey. I’ve never seen anyone do it by themselves.”
2020 is going to be a wild year for new @ChiefsRugby coach Warren Gatland, writes @TomVinicombe.https://t.co/EwEPz94EMP#SuperRugby #Chiefs
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 5, 2019
Closer to the professional scene, the coaching team that convinced Tahuriorangi to head to Taranaki for his provincial rugby set the halfback on the right course from the early stages of his career.
“I was just a Maori boy from Rotorua, I had no pathway so I’m just thankful for Taranaki. Paul Tito, Dave Dillon and Jono Philips… if it weren’t for those guys, I’d probably be back in Rotorua as a gang member.”
With Weber on an extended rest alongside the Chiefs’ other All Blacks, Tahuriorangi now has the first opportunity to advance his case with new coach Warren Gatland.
Weber didn’t start training with the squad until the middle of January and sat out the Chiefs’ only pre-season game, against the Blues.
That handed Tahurorangi the starting 9 jersey and his performance against his franchise’s northern neighbours didn’t go unnoticed by Gatland.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B70HuWhgWSp/
“I thought Triple T looked sharp,” Gatland said in the post-game wind-up. “We’re pretty happy with what he did.”
With Weber on restricted minutes for the first two matches of the regular season, Tahuriorangi will no doubt have further chances to push for a starting spot – including starting in this weekend’s opening Super Rugby game, between the Chiefs and the Blues – and he may be backed-up by his Taranaki teammate, Lisati Milo-Harris.
“He’s pretty young, exciting, fit – got a beautiful pass,” said Tahuriorangi of Milo-Harris, “It puts good pressure on me and Brad. If we don’t perform, he could easily slip in there.
The battle of the halfbacks will certainly be one of the major talking points for the Chiefs season ahead.
One of Weber’s major strengths compared to Tahuriorangi is his experience, which was sorely needed last year with so many other experienced players out with injury.
Damian McKenzie's return from injury in 2020 will add plenty of firepower to an already scorching @ChiefsRugby backline. Where does the young playmaker fit in, asks @TomVinicombe.
https://t.co/lovnCjm7xv#SuperRugby #ChiefsMana— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 10, 2019
Sam Cane, Brodie Retallick, Damian McKenzie and Michael Allardice all had lengthy spells out of the game.
At the national level, Weber’s experience was also valued highly for the World Cup. Despite being part of the All Blacks squad for a season, Tahuriorangi managed just three appearances over that time.
With the next World Cup four years away, there’s room for some young blood in the set-up once more – and that’s a role Tahuriorangi is aiming to fill.
Of course, as alluded to by the Chief, he’s unlikely to get selected for the All Blacks if he can’t earn selection at Super Rugby level.
So begins Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi’s quest for redemption.
WATCH: Blues loose forward Akira Ioane has revealed how severely his mental health was impacted in 2019.
Comments on RugbyPass
I 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.
11 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
11 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.
14 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.
11 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.
1 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 commentsYeah but who was it?
11 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
11 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
11 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to comments