Latest news with #Tavatavanawai
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Tavatavanawai's selection ‘still unreal'
Assistant coach Jason Ryan congratulates Timoci Tavatavanawai at the All Blacks squad announcement at the Coastal Rugby Club in Taranaki last week. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES Timoci Tavatavanawai was born and raised in Fiji, earned his Super Rugby stripes on the North Shore, and calls Nelson home. But he would dearly love to mark the greatest moment of his career in his adopted Dunedin. Tavatavanawai will arrive in the South with the All Blacks tonight to prepare for the first test against France at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday. The Highlanders co-captain was still digesting the seismic news of his selection in Scott Robertson's squad when he spoke to the Otago Daily Times. "Oh, yeah, it's still an unreal feeling, to be honest," Tavatavanawai said. "I don't know. I'm still pinching myself. "I think it won't be real until I actually play a game in that jersey." There have been plenty of recent examples of players with Fijian heritage shining in a black jersey. Tavatavanawai grew up on stories of the late Joeli Vidiri, and remembers watching flying wingers Joe Rokocoko and Sitiveni Sivivatu starring for the All Blacks. Significantly, he also gets to take his first steps in the national squad with incumbent winger Sevu Reece and injury cover Emoni Narawa. "To be in the All Blacks with my mates Sevu and Emoni is amazing because I went to school with both those guys. "It means a lot because it shows that if you believe in yourself, you can achieve anything." "Jim" was 19 when he moved from Fiji to New Zealand. He has worked hard on himself and his leadership skills, become an integral member of the Tasman Mako and, after starting with Moana Pasifika, flourished as a Super Rugby mainstay with the Highlanders. People had believed in him all the way, and he was determined to repay them. "For me, I'm chasing something that is more than just a game." Tavatavanawai did not get a chance to see his mother for five years after leaving the islands, and he was stuck in his adopted land when his dad died in 2021 during the pandemic. His proud mother, Melania Raqina, told PMN News last week that she wished her late husband could have seen their son named in the All Blacks. 'When I received the call that Jim's name was announced, I felt so emotional thinking about my late husband and how this news should have been shared with him,' she said. 'Although I am Jim's greatest supporter, my husband made sure that everything Jim needed for rugby was available." Tavatavanawai is the third of nine children, and the whole clan have been making the new All Black feel proud. "It's unreal. I'm just getting messages from them all the time," he said. "It's a big moment for myself and for my family and for my village. "I just need to keep believing and keep fighting and keep growing my game." Tavatavanawai was raised in his father's village of Naikawaga, Namara, in the Tailevu province. While his love for Fiji runs deep, he is also a devout Highlanders man. Moving south last year helped take his career to another level, and that continued when he was named co-captain this year, while a shift from wing to second five delivered dramatic results. "It's just helped me grow and grow as a person and as a leader. "My game in general has grown too, and getting a whole season in the midfield was huge for me," he said. "It probably just felt new to a lot of people because I hadn't played second five much at a professional level. "But for me, I've played lots of rugby in the midfield back home, and for my club in Tasman. It's something I've wanted to do in the professional area." Tavatavanawai is unsure whether the All Blacks see him more as a second five or a winger. "There are plenty of quality players in the squad. Guys who have been there for a wee while. "I just need to keep training hard and do what I do best to give myself a chance. I think I just need to be myself. That's probably the main thing." While Tavatavanawai is excited at the prospect of making his test debut in Dunedin, he becomes even more animated when asked about seeing Highlanders team-mate Fabian Holland potentially doing the same thing. "Mate, I've seen him perform week in, week out and how he goes about his whole week. "To be named in the All Blacks beside Fabian is unreal. I know he's going to go really well. "He's got the hunger in him and he loves to compete. I've got complete faith in him."
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Timoci Tavatavanawai among five new caps in All Blacks squad for France Series
Timoci 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 on June 23 for the July Series against France, with 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,' he 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.' 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. 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 the uncapped No. 8 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 the 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 the following weekends. Meanwhile, Australia fullback Tom Wright said the Wallabies were not reading a great deal into the British and Irish Lions' 28-24 loss to Argentina in their tour opener on June 21. The Lions party arrived in Perth on June 22 to prepare for their first tour match in Australia against Super Rugby Pacific side Western Force on June 28. 'I wouldn't read a whole lot into it, it was a pretty thrilling game... there was plenty of running rugby,' Wright said in Sydney on June 23 at the Wallabies training camp for their warmup match against Fiji. 'Is that the side they might roll out? Maybe or maybe not, there were a lot of big names that obviously didn't play... 'The Argentinians were really good (but) I wouldn't (say) that the Lions played really poorly. 'There's also that it's a bunch of guys trying to come together for the first time.' REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Otago Daily Times
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Holland, Tavatavanawai join de Groot in All Blacks
Debutant Timoci Tavatavanawai takes part in a skills session after the All Blacks squad announcement at the Coastal Rugby Club in Taranaki yesterday. Tavatavanawai and Fabian Holland were yesterday named in the the All Blacks squad for the three-test series against France starting in Dunedin on July 5. The pair join Highlanders team-mate Ethan de Groot in the national side. PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES Ethan de Groot will no longer be a lonely Highlander at the airport. The burly prop spent a full year as the Highlanders' sole representative in the All Blacks after halfback great Aaron Smith moved to Japan. Now he will have a giant Dutchman and big Jim for company in the departure lounge. Exciting lock Fabian Holland and blockbusting utility back Timoci Tavatavanawai were yesterday named alongside de Groot in the All Blacks squad for the three-test series against France starting in Dunedin on July 5. Holland's selection is reward for his potential — he is still just 22 — and his consistently excellent performances for the Highlanders in Super Rugby Pacific this season. It also caps what will forever be one of the more interesting journeys to the All Blacks. Holland, who grew up idolising New Zealand rugby players, left his native Netherlands at the age of 16 to go to school in Christchurch. He then moved to Dunedin, where his rise with Otago and the Highlanders was so rapid it always seemed a matter of when, not if, he would represent his adopted land. Holland, who has already played for the New Zealand under-20 team and the All Blacks XV, got the call of his dreams from All Blacks coach Scott Robertson on Sunday. "I was going to go out for breakfast to see my foster family with my mum and my brother," Holland told Sky Sport yesterday. "My mum flew over from the Netherlands, coincidentally. "As I was just about to sit on the couch, I got a phone call. I'm pretty sure I blacked out there for a wee bit. The only thing I could really say to Razor (Robertson) was, 'Oh, yep, I'm speechless, mate.' "It was really emotional having my family there, and calling my old man and sister back home. Mum pretty much jumped into my arms straight away." Highlanders fans will also be delighted to see Tavatavanawai named in the All Blacks. The Fijian-born back had a remarkable season in the South after being elevated to the co-captaincy and switched from wing to second five. His physicality, explosiveness and freakish ability to gain turnovers make him an X-factor package, and it will intriguing to see how that translates to the test arena. Tavatavanawai was pottering around in his garden when he got the news. "I missed a call and then I saw a message and had to call Razor back. "It's pretty awesome." Otago No8 Christian Lio-Willie, fresh off a strong season with the Crusaders, will join the All Blacks as injury cover.
New Straits Times
23-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
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. Your All Blacks selected to represent Aotearoa — All Blacks (@AllBlacks) June 23, 2025 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.
Straits Times
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Tavatavanawai among five new caps in All Blacks squad for France series
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 Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
