Tavatavanawai among five new caps in All Blacks squad for France series
Timoci Tavatavanawai was one of five uncapped players named in the All Blacks squad for the July series against France on Monday, the Fiji-born centre earning his first test call-up at the age of 27 after a superb Super Rugby season.
Tavatavanawai's power and pace along with his ability to turn the ball over at the breakdown earned him a place in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific dream team but he might find it tougher to break into the New Zealand midfield.
Coach Scott Robertson has brought Jordie Barrett straight back into his squad after a sabbatical in Ireland with Leinster and also recalled powerhouse Quinn Tupaea after three injury-blighted seasons.
"It's always a challenge to pick the best players in the country," Robertson said.
"You look through the whole season, you look for reliability, the ability to keep turning up, their skill sets under pressure, how they complement the group.
"It's a hell of a team, just congratulations to those debutants, their families, and who supported them to get here."
Tavatavanawai said it had been an emotional moment for him and his family when he heard that his dream of an All Blacks call-up had been fulfilled.
"It means everything," he said. "I left (home) when I was 16. My brother and sister were about 13 and I've missed a crucial part of their growing up. All that sacrifice comes up to this moment so it's pretty special.
"I think that's why mum pretty much straight away jumped in my arms."
Flanker Du'Plessis Kirifi and hooker Brodie McAlister are two other experienced players who have earned their first call-ups in their late 20s on the back of standout domestic seasons.
"Du'Plessis is the ultimate story of what it takes to keep working and absolute desire to be an All Black," forwards coach Jason Ryan said of the 28-year-old openside.
"He's got the balance right. He's learned a lot about himself learning Wellington and the Hurricanes. We know he's ready."
There was no place in the squad for openside Dalton Papali'i or blindside Ethan Blackadder with Kirifi one of only five loose forwards selected along with Samipeni Finau, Ardie Savea, Wallace Sititi and Luke Jacobson.
Jacobson picked up a knock in the Super Rugby final and uncapped number eight Christian Lio-Willie will join the squad as injury cover along with winger Emoni Narawa, who will make up the numbers while Anton Lienert-Brown completes his recuperation from a broken collarbone.
Powerful loosehead prop Ollie Norris and Netherlands-born lock Fabian Holland round out the quintet of uncapped players named by Robertson.
New Zealand host France in the opening test in Dunedin on July 5 before further clashes in Wellington and Hamilton on the following weekends.
Squad:
Forwards - Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Brodie McAlister, Ethan de Groot, Tamaiti Williams, Ollie Norris, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Scott Barrett (captain), Fabian Holland, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa'i, Samipeni Finau, Ardie Savea, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Wallace Sititi, Luke Jacobson.
Backs - Noah Hotham, Cortez Ratima, Cameron Roigard, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Quinn Tupaea, Billy Proctor, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan, Ruben Love, Sevu Reece. REUTERS
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