'We bring the physicality': Tupou Vaa'i is ready for the bright lights

A transition period has come about for some of New Zealand’s bright young stars, as their mentors enter the final chapter of their New Zealand careers and they will soon play second fiddle to no one.

Tupou Vaa’i is one of those players, the 23-year-old has enjoyed an apprenticeship under the experienced guide of Brodie Retallick at the Chiefs and Sam Whitelock in the All Blacks.

Those two veterans will sign off on their Super Rugby careers in Saturday’s final before undertaking one final international season in the hopes of bringing home another Rugby World Cup.

Beyond that fleeting schedule, is an opportunity for a new All Blacks legacy to stamp its claim. But before Vaa’i can tackle the future, he has a shot at a Super Rugby Pacific title to focus on.

Vaa’i and the Chiefs face the Crusaders in a mouth-watering clash that offers All Black matchups across the park. Vaa’i and Retallick vs Whitelock and Scott Barrett are a particular highlight.

Since beating the Crusaders in each of their previous two games this season, the Chiefs are learning from the defeats other teams have suffered at the hands of the reigning champions, specifically last week’s match.

“Our carry and clean-up game needs to be strong,” Vaa’i told RNZ Pacific. “We can learn from their semi-final against the Blues.

“They were very physical so that is one big area we need to target. And obviously, the set piece and our continuity as well need to be on par.”

That physicality was never going to be an issue for Vaa’i as he represents Chiefs Mana and his Tongan roots.

“You know we bring the physicality and that’s what we pride ourselves on as Pacific Islanders, and awesome to see the brothers out there performing well.”

The young All Black will carry his family and culture with him in the final and beyond, very much still in touch with the qualities and sacrifices that got him to where he is today.

“I still can’t repay the sacrifices that my parents and my family have done to get me to this point in my career.

“Pretty much all the glory back to the man above because if not for the talents I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.

“Today I still can’t repay the faith my family had in me. It’s massive and all gratitude to my parents and my family for their support.”

Staying grounded ahead of the final, Vaa’i says the All Black selections have been on his mind but his mindset “will switch to that when we get together for the camp.”

For now, any All Blacks wearing red and black are “still enemies at the end of the day, and then once we get into camp next week, we’ll be teammates again.”