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'Underwhelmed': Ex-internationals at odds over Quinn Tupaea's recent form

By Luke Petherick
(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

A trio of former New Zealand internationals have offered contrasting views about the performance of Chiefs midfielder Quinn Tupaea in his side’s Super Rugby Pacific defeat to the Brumbies on Saturday.

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Tupaea has had a solid, if unspectacular, Super Rugby Pacific season thus far, being called upon to start on the left wing for the Chiefs, as well as being relegated to the bench at times.

However, the 22-year-old finally seems to be finding his best form, starring for the Hamilton-based franchise in their 38-28 loss two days ago.

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Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 12

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Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 12

That spurred All Blacks great Sir John Kirwan to praise the youngster, who he said on The Breakdown had endured a tumultuous campaign where he has battled for selection against the in-form Alex Nankivell and injured Anton Lienert-Brown.

“I think that it has been a hard year for him, and he needed to get back and have a strong game. I think he has his ups and downs during the game,” Kirwan said.

“From what I have seen from him he is definitely All Black material, and he can go a long way, but he just needs consistency around the little parts of the game.

“I think it was a really big statement from him last night because he has been under selection pressure. I like what he brought on attack last night I would just like to see him back that up next week.”

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Former Maori All Blacks lock Joe Wheeler was more straightforward in his assessment of Tupaea’s efforts, though, calling into question his defensive performance in the defeat to Super Rugby Pacific’s second-ranked team last Saturday.

“I thought he was okay… I think his attack was outstanding, but defensively he missed a few tackles which is surprising for me.” Wheeler said.

“That is probably his work on is his defensive work. We obviously know he is a premium attacker, but on the other side of the ball I was a little bit underwhelmed.”

On the opposite side of the coin, ex-All Blacks wing Jeff Wilson was more positive in his outlook on how Tupaea fared against the Brumbies.

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“It was his best attacking game of the season,” Wilson told The Breakdown.”He was creating for the players around him which is something we desperately need in the midfield.”

The trio’s comments come at a time when Tupaea looms as a contender for the national No 12 jersey, a vacancy in the All Blacks that has no lead candidate vying to fill that spot.

Since the 2019 World Cup, the All Blacks have tried and tested a number of different midfield combinations, with Tupaea, Lienert-Brown, Jack Goodhue and David Havili all spending time in the No 12 jersey for New Zealand.

As such, it remains unclear who head coach Ian Foster is likely to select leading into the 2023 World Cup in France.

Tupaea started at second-five in the final game of the All Blacks season against France last year, but struggled to play his best rugby as the Kiwis fell short in a 40-25 defeat at Stade de France.

Nevertheless, with international experience now in his arsenal, Tupaea may get the first nod against Ireland in July’s three-test tour of New Zealand, although much of that will come down to his form throughout the rest of Super Rugby Pacific.

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Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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