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'You want to prove yourself': All Blacks rookies lift lid on challenges of stepping up to international rugby
Fulfilling a lifelong dream takes some getting used to. Just ask the seven new All Blacks settling into their first national camp.
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Less than three weeks out from the opening Bledisloe Cup test in Wellington, the All Blacks held an open training session on day two of their camp in Whakat?ne on Tuesday where hundreds of locals flocked to jockey for optimal viewing positions.
For the influx of rookies it was an eye-opening experience, one where becoming an All Black started to sink in.
“It is pretty surreal,” Crusaders flanker Cullen Grace, one of the seven new caps in the 35-man squad, said. “It doesn’t seem that long ago I was a kid being a fan of the All Blacks. I know how they’ll be feeling seeing the All Blacks so it’s great we can come here and give them that experience. It’s awesome to see how many people have turned out.”
Grace earned his All Blacks selection, among seven loose forwards, on the back of several standout displays for the Crusaders. His abrasive defence and relentless work-rate were features of his game, before thumb surgery in late June took him out of contention for the latter stages of the Super Rugby season and the North-South match.
Hailing from Timaru, the 20-year-old’s rapid elevation to the All Blacks puts him on the sporting podium alongside fellow South Canterbury icon, world shot put champion Tom Walsh.
“I wouldn’t say a street parade but there’s definitely a lot of support and that’s something I’m really grateful for. I’m really proud to be representing Timaru because it’s where I’m from.”
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After a series of firsts, which includes travelling to Whakat?ne, his maiden marae visit on Monday and meeting new esteemed team-mates, Grace admits attempting to immerse himself in the All Blacks has been somewhat overwhelming but he is confident of stepping up to the test arena when his time comes.
“It was a dream of mine to be here so it’s been unreal. Being around such experience and knowledge is awesome. I’m just trying to pick everyone’s brains and learn as much as I can.
“You can’t come in and try and be someone else – you’ve been picked for a reason so bringing what you have to the table is key.
“Coming into a new environment you always want to prove yourself. I’m trying not to look too far ahead in terms of the test matches and just concentrate and soak up everything and if the opportunity does come I’m ready.”
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At the opposite end of the spectrum, 117-test veteran Sam Whitelock is relishing the chance to reconnect with team-mates old and new while plotting out the test season that begins on October 11 against the Wallabies.
The 31-year-old will shoulder a heavy responsibility this season while also helping groom rookie locks Quinten Strange and Tupou Vaa’i.
“I think back to when I was first asked to come in and everyone said just worry about yourself,” Whitelock said. “That’s the best advice I got given and it’s the same advice I’d give to any of the seven new players – be yourself, play the way you’ve always played and don’t try do something that’s new.
“It’s cool seeing the excitement on their faces. Will Jordan set his alarm a couple of times this morning so he didn’t sleep through which is what everyone does the first day, first week.
“They’re going to develop and grow and become more comfortable in this environment without relaxing on their skills. They’re prepared to work hard and they’re going to get better all the time.
“It’s awesome to look around the room and see these are the guys chosen to represent our country.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Super rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
8 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
8 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
14 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
14 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
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