Youngster gets the Hansen nod
AUMUA: 20-YEAR-OLD HOOKER EARNS HIS TOUR PLACE
Powerful No 2 made headlines at Under-20 World Cup.
Wellington
It was never really going to be a case of if Asafo Aumua made the All Blacks squad, more a matter of when. The moment arrived yesterday when the hooker, whose hat-trick in the Under-20 World Cup final in June had him marked out as the next big thing in New Zealand rugby, was named in the 37-strong party for the endof-season tour.
With coach Steve Hansen dispensing this year with the “apprentice” policy that saw Ardie Savea and Jordie Barrett tour with the All Blacks to gain experience in 2013 and 2016 respectively, Aumua had to earn his passage as a playing option.
The 20-year-old did so in no uncertain fashion, with a series of outstanding performances for Wellington propelling him into the squad as the fourth hooker behind Dane Coles, Codie Taylor and Nathan Harris.
“He’s dominating, he’s dominating when he carries, everything he does, he does really well and stands out,” Hansen told reporters after naming his squad.
“That’s not normal for a 20-year-old. So when you see non-normal behaviour that’s positive, it’s hard not to reward it.”
Combining the power of 132cap Keven Mealamu and the speed of Coles, Aumua made his Wellington debut as a teenager last year and scored a hat-trick of tries against Northland.
But it was his barnstorming performances for the “Baby Blacks” at the Under-20 World Cup earlier this year that thrust him on to the world stage.
Aumua scored five tries during the tournament.
For the last try of his hat-trick in the 64-17 victory over England in the final, Aumua wrestled his way through five would-be tacklers to get to the line.
He has also displayed his pace and skill for Wellington this season, most notably when he outpaced Taranaki winger Declan O’Donnell to score one try and stood up Canterbury fullback George Bridge with a stunning inand-away for another.
With matches against the Barbarians and a French XV among the five games, Aumua could pull on the jersey and still return home without a Test cap. – Reuters