ALL BLACKS DO IT AGAIN WITH LATEST ‘FREAK’ FIFITA STEALING THE SHOW
JUST when the chasing pack sensed that the All Blacks could be caught and overhauled, the world’s premier nation have unleashed another ‘freak’ to re-assert their supremacy. Will Carling applied that tag to a certain Jonah Lomu 22 years ago, after the giant wing had bulldozed England into submission in a World Cup semi-final. Now, New Zealand have another mighty Tongan weapon at their disposal. Vaea Fifita’s performance against Argentina on Saturday, in his first Test start, served to reinforce the geographical and genetic advantage that the All Blacks are able to capitalise on. He is a potent Polynesian asset to the Kiwis and what he did in New Plymouth was truly freakish. The 25-year-old had already made his presence felt in attack and defence when he took a pass and stormed around two Puma backs on a 40-metre outside break to the corner. It was an act of individual brilliance way beyond the remit of an orthodox blindside flanker, even one in the best Test team of all. Soon after, Fifita made another thunderous surge and off-loaded for Damian McKenzie to score, only for the pass to be ruled forward. No matter, a point had been made. Steve Hansen has a new sensation on his hands. Born and raised in Tonga, when Fifita travelled to New Zealand on a schools’ team tour his display against Auckland Grammar led nearby Tamaki College to offer him a scholarship. So he entered the Kiwi system and — with the benefit of top coaching — he made the grade, to become yet another islander lost to his own country. There is nothing illegal or deceptive going on in this case, or many others like it, but it is just a shame that so much talent across the south Pacific is not spread more evenly between the nations there. Economic factors dictate that outstanding players such as Fifita will keep being sucked into the All Black talent factory, leaving Fiji, Samoa and Tonga to pick up what is left. Meanwhile, the combined attendance for Saturday’s two Rugby Championship fixtures was less than 40,000. Unless Argentina, Australia and South Africa can make light of Fifita’s emergence to really challenge the Kiwis, the southern hemisphere showpiece will be in dire trouble.