Jordan Taufua
The blindside wild card
Jordan Taufua cannot be overlooked in his quest to crack the World Cup squad. He would, in all likelihood, have savoured a long-awaited test debut this season but for injury.
Knowing the door remains very much open at six, he is hungry to prove he is the solution.
“They’re still trying to find that player at that level in that jersey,” he said after finishing Barbarians training in London ahead of the match overnight against the Pumas.
“They’ve had experiments around that number, so for me, it’s just turning up and doing what I do. If that’s still attractive, I’ll be there. My desire to play for the jersey is still there, so if all goes well, I’ll be there or thereabouts.”
Taufua’s maiden call-up in June did not progress to full All Blacks status, with Highlanders Shannon Frizell and Jackson Hemopo preferred for the third test against France in Dunedin after Liam Squire’s broken thumb offered the chance.
Inspired by his first foot in the door, Taufua returned to the Crusaders, where he continued to impress standing in for Kieran Read, only to break his arm in the semifinal win over the Hurricanes.
The cruel timing of that setback — he now has plates in each arm after breaking both radiuses — ruled him out of the final and Rugby Championship reckoning.
Such is his drive to wear the black jersey, Taufua refused to give up on making the northern tour squad.
Ultimately, that timeline proved too hopeful. And so four months on, Taufua’s comeback began with a second appearance for the Baabaas, this time off the bench after starting against South Africa two years ago.
Every player loves the opportunity to join the Baabaas, a team where professional rugby confines are abandoned. The week revolves around embracing the amateur ethos of quickly blending a squad, forming connections through old-fashioned bonding and then adopting a brand of footy where anything goes.
“I was training through, trying to make the end-of-year tour, and this was something on the side,” he said. “I’m lucky there was a spot free in the loose forwards, so it’s good to get a golden egg at the end of the year and be part of it again. You can’t control the injuries. It’s been a frustrating, up-and-down year, so I’m looking forward to getting out there.”
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has been open about the contest for blindside after Squire was bogged down by injuries and struggled to assert his presence this season.
Frizell made a big impression against the Pumas in Nelson but remains a raw talent and it is a similar story with Vaea Fifita, who seized his chance in the cakewalk over Italy.
The mission to replace Jerome Kaino goes on. Of the contenders, Taufua is the wild card, firmly in the frame, with his ability to cover No 8 offering potential upside. What some suggest he lacks in size, he compensates for with enduring heart.
After knocking on the door for some time and having already sacrificed lucrative offers abroad, the 26-year-old appears more determined than ever to force his way in.
“When the All Blacks came, I was going to go over to Japan for four months, but I got selected in June and I decided to pull out of it and keep going. No regrets there, I’ve still got the desire to do that.
“It’s a big year next year, so I can’t wait to get stuck into that. Pre-season has just started. After this, I’ll probably go back and join the boys.”