Welcome home Te Toiroa, you’re an All Black now
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi’s choice to stick with rugby has been fully vindicated.
The Chiefs halfback was one of three new caps named yesterday in the All Blacks squad for next month’s series against France – the 23-year-old’s selection coming five years after he turned down a rugby league opportunity with the Melbourne Storm.
Rotorua-born and raised, a career at the highest level in at least one code beckoned for the talented sportsman.
During his days at Rotorua Boys’ High School, Tahuriorangi would play for the first XV in the mornings, then head to league fixtures in the afternoon. He was named in the 2011 tournament team from the Condor Sevens national event, and in 2013 he represented New Zealand in the
under-19 men’s touch side. That same year saw him start to take rugby league more seriously, as a stocky winger/centre.
He played for the WaiCoa Bay Stallions in the national premiership; captained the school in its debut appearance at the nationals; played for the New Zealand Residents 18s against the Australian Schoolboys, then made the big call to pass up the chance to join the Storm’s under20s setup.
‘‘I had to break down things, and with family priorities and all that kind of stuff too,’’ said Tahuriorangi, who has a fiveyear-old son, in an interview with Stuff last month. ‘‘I just had to try and weigh up my options, and I’m just happy with the result I decided, with rugby.’’
That feeling will only be amplified now. After being called into the All Blacks foundation days there was more than a hint the selectors were keen on him, before getting confirmation while on tour in South Africa with the Chiefs.
Tahuriorangi won’t arrive home until the early hours of tomorrow morning so will miss this three-day camp.
Once he does link up for the series, though, his involvement will be less about playing and more about soaking up the knowledge of his stated idol Aaron Smith, and former Hurricanes team-mate TJ Perenara – as Steve Hansen looks to build depth ahead of next year’s World Cup.
After debuting at NPC level in 2015 with Taranaki and being part of the World Under 20 Championship-winning New Zealand side that year, Tahuriorangi spent the last two seasons at the Hurricanes, then moved to the Chiefs ahead of this campaign.
While he has split the starting duties and bench roles with Brad Weber 5-5 across the team’s 10 games, his snappy pass and similar style to Smith are seemingly what the All Blacks are keen on.
His inclusion is likely to mean coach Steve Hansen will ensure his full pronunciation of the rookie halfback is up to scratch.
Famed sports broadcaster Keith Quinn criticised Hansen earlier this year for using his nickname instead.
At a televised press conference, Hansen was asked about Tahuriorangi. He smiled and said ‘‘It’s a lot easier to say Triple T.’’
Tahuriorangi, of Nga¯ ti Pikiao, who was named by his grandparents, told Maori TV people were forgiven for incorrectly pronouncing his name but he wanted to encourage people to learn the correct pronunciation.