All Blacks callup for Triple-T
In-form Chiefs No 9 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi has emerged as a cast-iron contender for the problematic third All Blacks halfback spot.
Clearly the national selectors have had their interest piqued by the play of the 23-year-old firstyear Chiefs player in Super Rugby, with Tahuriorangi – the man they call Triple-T – called in to attend the All Blacks ‘‘foundation’’ day in Wellington yesterday.
North Island-based All Blacks from the Chiefs, Blues and Hurricanes attended the day-long session which is part of coach Steve Hansen’s plan to fast-track his preparation for June’s threetest series against France.
The All Blacks confirmed early yesterday Tahuriorangi would be among those attending the gathering, which indicates he has been elevated in their thinking.
Tahuriorangi has made the most of his chances over the last month with the Chiefs and impressed with his speed of delivery and sharpness around the field as the Hamilton-based franchise has battled through a huge injury toll to win six of its first eight matches.
The off-season addition from the Hurricanes started the season as backup behind Brad Weber at the Chiefs, but got the chance to step into the regular starting role when Weber was injured.
Hansen has made no secret of the fact that the race for their third halfback spot behind the experienced duo of Smith and Perenara is a wide open one, and that they are still searching for the answer.
At the start of the season Weber, Mitchell Drummond and Blues skipper Augustine Pulu were considered the leading contenders, though Tahuriorangi has clearly now catapulted right into that equation.
Neither Weber nor Pulu were invited to the Wellington camp.
Julian Savea was probably the other notable attendee at the Wellington gathering, with the experienced wing clearly still seen among the contenders to face the French in June despite some less than spectacular form in Super Rugby.
Young Hurricanes hooker Asafo Aumua was also at the
camp, despite a problematic start to his season that has seen him battling for fitness through some niggling injuries.
Probably the most noteworthy of the North Island players potentially in contention for June, but not called up for the foundation day, is in-form Hurricanes wing Ben Lam. He has been in scintillating form for the Canes with nine tries in seven matches as the men from the capital have rattled off six straight victories following their season-opening defeat in Pretoria.
Loosehead prop and 2017 All Black Kane Hames, who has been a long-term absentee in Super Rugby with ongoing head issues, was not included among the camp invites or those unavailable.
Others who missed the cut for Wellington include Weber, Pulu, Hurricanes utility backs Vince Aso and Matt Proctor and hookers Ricky Riccitelli (Canes) and James Parsons(Blues).