New All Black Timoci Tavatavanawai makes dream come true
Photo:
Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz
Timoci Tavatavanawai knows his dad would be incredibly proud.
The Fiji-born Highlanders midfielder came off the bench in the All Blacks 43-17 win over France in the second test in Wellington to earn his first cap.
"It feels good. I'm still pinching myself. To run on the field, sing the national anthem and do the haka for first time for this country is special," Tavatavanawai said.
Timoci Tavatavanawai charges forward.
Photo:
Masanori Udagawa
Tavatavanawai was visibly emotional during the national anthem and the 27-year-old said it was an expression of joy at having achieved one of his life ambitions.
"It was always a goal of mine to play rugby for New Zealand, for the All Blacks," Tavatanawai said.
"It was my goal and my dad's goal too. I just couldn't hold back [the tears], looking up at the sky to him where he's watching over me as I made the dream come true."
Tavatavanawai, who has nine siblings, moved to New Zealand
in 2017
to chase that dream. Sadly, his father died in 2022, before he had the chance to return to Fiji to visit him.
He could not attend the funeral due to border restrictions at the time.
"He'll be smiling at the moment. His shoulders will be up and he'll be going around telling people up there that we made it," he said.
New Zealand Rugby organised for Tavatavanawai's mum to fly to New Zealand for his debut.
"They flew over yesterday [Friday] morning. A few people behind the scenes, the management staff, pulled some strings and made some calls and made it happen for her and two of my younger siblings to come over and watch."
Timoci Tavatavanawai and Emoni Narawa.
Photo:
Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz
He said was an emotional moment when he saw his mum and brothers.
"I picked them up at the airport and for my younger siblings, it was their first time in New Zealand and first time on the plane. That's why it was extra special today.
"Mum said to me, just go out there and be yourself."
Tavatavanawai did just that and coach Scott Robertson said he impressed on debut.
"He's a man of few words but when he spoke about himself and his nine siblings and his family, it's a pretty incredible story and he was pretty clear on what he wanted to do [become an All Black] and for him to share it with his family is pretty special," Robertson said.
"He still wanted to perform. He took those opportunities when he was out there. His story to get here is pretty special."
Tavatavanawai said test rugby lived up to all the hype.
"Way bigger than I expected from the start. To get a feeling and a taste of test footy [was amazing]. It's surreal."
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero
,
a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
2 hours ago
- RNZ News
Flying Fijians topple Scotland in front of home crowd
Fiji's Jiuta Wainiqolo (L) runs the ball towards the try line during the rugby Test match between Fiji and Scotland at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva on July 12, 2025. Photo: AFP / Josua Buredua Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne says the 29-14 win against Scotland on Saturday was a result of hard work. Byrne made the comments after the one-off Test match at the National Stadium in Suva. With over 10,000 fans in attendance, including Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, Fiji turned the pressure on midway into the first half and continued that in the second spell to claim the win and avenge last year's loss in Scotland. "Really pleased for our players," the former Scotland assistant coach said. "The amount of work they put in in such a short period of time and they got the result today." Captain Tevita Ikanivere paid tribute to the players, who fought until the last whistle to secure the win. He said the disappointing three points loss to the Wallabies the weekend before was something that the team had at the back of their mind, as they took on the touring Scottish side at Laucala. "Thank the brothers for giving their all today," he said. "Hard fought battle. I thank the Scottish team for coming down to Fiji, the only Tier One nation that has come down to play us." Scotland coach Gregory Townsend said the Fijians were better and he was disappointed for the loss. "Fiji deserved to win. Disappointed for the overall performance, disappointed that we didn't work on the good start we had." Scotland had taken an early lead but they were down 15-7 at halftime. Fullback Kyle Rowe crossed the Fiji tryline three minutes into the game, and after messing up near the visitors' tryline the Fijians managed to get points on the board through the boots of flyhalf Caleb Muntz. Skipper Ikanivere added more points through a try from a rare driving maul in the 36th minute, before winger Kalaveti Ravouravou finished off a backline movement when he ran untouched from a Salesi Rayasi pass. In the second half, Scotland scored first again, through inside centre Tom Jordan, after the visitors had broken through midfield and quick recycling of the ball saw Jordan go over. France-based Jiuta Wainiqolo then broke through to score in the 60th minute, having received and inside pass from Muntz. Then a penalty try was awarded to the Fijians after Scottish winger Darcy Graham was ruled offside, and interfering with the ball, when the Fijian backline had spun the ball wide, with two players on the outside two metres from the tryline. Graham was red carded, having received an earlier yellow card in the game, and Scotland were on the receiving end of a penalty try to their hosts. And as the last seconds ticked away the Fijians were stopped short again, number eight Elia Canakaivata held up on the line as he bulldozed his way over. A highlight of the day's program was the recognition of former Flying Fijians who had played against Scotland in 1997. That included Joeli Veitayaki and Filipe Rayasi, whose sons Haeriet Hetit and Salesi Rayasi played for Fiji yesterday. Hetit is Veitayaki's son while Salesi is Filipe's son. The Flying Fijians will now prepare for the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup while Scotland will meet Manu Samoa at Eden Park on Friday night.
RNZ News
2 hours ago
- RNZ News
'Bring it on, we're ready': Black Sox set for World Cup final
Photo: WBSC The world's most decorated mens softball team, the New Zealand Black Sox, are looking to increase their medal tally, as they take on Japan in the Mens Softball World Cup Final. After an impressive campaign, the New Zealand side earnt their [ spot in the gold medal match, after taking down Japan 8-3 on Sunday. The Black Sox have long been a dominant force in the sport, having won the Men's World Championship a total of seven times, becoming World Champions for the first time in 1976. The side have won a medal in 13 of the first 15 World Cups, and appeared consecutively in the World Championship Final 10 times from 1984 to 2017. However, in 2022, the Black Sox had a disappointing finish on home soil, where they placed 8th. But this year, the squad set out on a haerenga - a journey of redemption . The New Zealand Black Sox will fight for their eighth title at the WBSC Mens Softball World Cup. Photo: WBSC Head coach Thomas Makea (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Marama, Ngāti Makea ki Rarotonga), who took over in 2023, said the team's resurgence was built on connection. "We all know where they've been in 2022 and where they finished and how they finished, so [this year] it was about getting them to really play for each other, play for not only themselves but also their whānau and where they've come from." Now, they're one win away from reclaiming the world title. "Every time I set them a challenge and a goal, they smash it," he said. Black Sox head coach Thomas Makea and his two sons, Reilly Makea (left) and Dante Makea-Matakatea (right). Photo: WBSC A four-time world champion, three-time New Zealand player of the year and Hall of Famer, Makea knows the pressure of playing at the highest level. He said what makes this team special is the sense of whanaungatanga. "We're tight. We created something very, very special, and it's been brewing for a while now." He said it's not only about the coaching staff but the village behind them. "At our last camp, we had people back home that helped us too. Not just the coaching staff efforts, we have other people behind us and they wove their magic and brought us closer." When the squad first arrived in Canada, half of the team were already there. But the moment the rest of the group joined, he knew something had clicked. "We had a big pōwhiri. They welcomed us onto their whare, their marae. Once that connection happened, you could just feel something was growing." Makea said the final match against Venezuela will be tough, but he knows what the New Zealand side can achieve. "It's been a massive journey for these guys, they've come a long way. They've backed me, and I've had their backs too, so bring it on, we're ready." Ngāpuhi brothers Ben (right) and Thomas Enoka (left) have each secured 100 games for the Black Sox, the worlds most decorated men's softball team. Photo: Supplied / Andrew Currie Veteran out-fielder and lead-off hitter Ben Enoka (Ngāpuhi), said the boys came to the whakataetae (competition) with one goal - to make the podium - and now they've done it. "We came here to do what we came to do, put ourselves on that podium and play for that top medal." Enoka performed with the bat against Japan on Sunday, powering a ball over centre-fields head. He has also secured over 100 games for the Black Sox - alongside his younger brother Thomas - a milestone not many athletes of the game ever achieve. "We had a task, and we did what we came to do." First-basemen and power-hitter Seth Gibson clutched two impressive home-runs against Japan to help secure their spot in the final. Photo: WBSC First-basemen and power-hitter Seth Gibson, who clutched two impressive and important home-runs against Japan, said making the Finals was a "20-year dream come true." I grew up around softball, so to make it and be a part of it is something special, especially with this young group we've got." He credits the team's success to the trust and belief they've built in one another. "The connection we've built over probably three years now with Thomas leading at the helm and his staff has been huge. It's brought the team culture together. You can see it on the diamond. We just want to play for each other. It's awesome to be a part of." "Bring on tomorrow." Team captain Cole Evans got the Black Sox on the scoreboard first in their final Super Round match against Japan with a bomb over centre-field. Photo: WBSC Team captain Cole Evans whose glove and bat has proved strong during this tour, said the sides success has been based on team performance. "We don't have a superstar, just a bunch of guys willing to work hard for each other. You can see that on the field." He said their focus for today is to go out and enjoy themselves. "Its the toughest thing to make the final, and we're there now," "We're gonna go enjoy ourselves, put our best foot forwards and see what we can do." New Zealand Black Sox pitcher, Pita Rona, son of Brad Rona - a four-time Black Sox world champion - pitched the side to its first victory at the WBSC Softball World Cup Finals against Canada. Photo: WBSC Pita Rona (Te Atiawa), who retired young pitcher Liam Potts in the fourth inning against Japan, held the strong hitting side to 0 runs. He said the Black Sox have prepared mentally and physically for this moment. "There's nothing I'm not ready for. That goes for all the boys. We've been building for this for years. We're ready to dog it up for the boys." Rona, like many softballers, is following in the footsteps of his whānau, representing Aotearoa on the world stage and eyeing a championship title. He is the son of Brad Rona, a former team mate of the head coach and four time world champion. He said getting the last three outs to secure a gold medal game for the Black Sox was the "biggest moment" of his career. "Nothing changes tomorrow. We'll go out there and give it our all." The Black Sox takes on Venezuela in the Gold Medal match at 8am on Monday (NZT).
NZ Herald
3 hours ago
- NZ Herald
All Blacks v France: Scott Robertson's vision takes shape in Wellington
Did we see the future? It's too early to be sure, but hopefully we got a preview of the sort of high-speed, quick-thinking rugby the All Blacks will play this year under coach Robertson. As a prime example, Tupou Vaa'i's try in the 36th minute was the result of the sort of brilliant attacking play sadly lacking in too many of the test matches played around the world. There's a battle going on internationally for the soul of the game. There was World Cup success for South Africa in 2023 with a team of muscular giants. In the contest between a side of weightlifters and a team of aerobically fit athletes, the spectacle great rugby can be will always be provided by the fitter, more daring players. It was interesting, and heartening, to see Sir Wayne Smith in the New Zealand coaches' box in Wellington. Bet the farm that he's encouraging what he's often described as our 'natural rugby DNA', an adventurous style where rush defences are bemused by speed of foot and decision-making. Tupou Vaa'i celebrates after scoring against France in Wellington. Photo / Photosport A round of applause to all Cam Roigard's 14th-minute try came from one of the cheekiest and most perfectly executed moves I've ever seen in a test match. The ball, it seemed, was going to be run from the back of the New Zealand lineout. No 8 Christian Lio-Willie was sprinting furiously towards the middle of the field, his body hunched over the ball he was carrying. Except he wasn't. There was no ball. At the front of the lineout, captain Ardie Savea was smuggling it to Roigard. The gifted halfback flew 30m to the tryline. It was at once almost laugh-out-loud funny and a classic example of out-of-the-box thinking being made real by players with faith in themselves, no doubt boosted by numerous rehearsals at private training sessions. Men of the match The old saying, 'cometh the hour, cometh the man', could hardly have applied more than to Ardie Savea and Patrick Tuipulotu. Savea was captaining the All Blacks because of a training injury to Scott Barrett, and Tuipulotu was playing for the same reason. To say Tuipulotu's return to the side was seamless actually understates how much at home he looked in the lineouts, or the physical presence he brought to his general play. And on the topic of physicality, it's extraordinary how Savea – after a season of Super Rugby Pacific in which he gave so much week after week leading Moana Pasifika – has such massive reserves of mental and physical strength that he played in Wellington like a man in the exuberant first stages of a career. Dreams can come true It's little wonder some tears rolled down the face of Timoci Tavatavanawai during the national anthem in Wellington. The second-eldest in a family of nine in Fiji, the powerhouse midfielder is in rugby for a lot more than himself. His father died during the Covid epidemic and Tavatavanawai has always made it clear what drives his career. 'The main motive for me when I play footy is to support my little siblings.' In February, I wrote that 'Tavatavanawai offers the solidity, and many of the skills another man who went from wing to second-five, Ma'a Nonu, did in the 2011 and 2015 World Cup-winning All Black teams'. After his debut in black, I see no reason to change that opinion. Timoci Tavatavanawai lifts the Dave Gallaher Trophy. Photo / Photosport Buying early was wise All tickets are sold out for the third and final test in Hamilton. It looks now like a very sensible decision to get in early. Despite the lopsided nature of the Wellington test, I'll say yet again: 'This is the French we're playing.' Which means the possibilities are much greater than against a more predictable outfit. Who knows? Coach Galthié may even start the best team he can put on the paddock. And if they're massacred by the All Blacks, at least there will be some spectacular tries. Oh, joy Sadly, the decision has been made by World Rugby (presumably because we're heading towards a World Cup in 2027) that the aim of refereeing test matches is now not to try to present a great spectacle, but to make sure that every tiny 'i' is dotted and every minuscule 't' is crossed. Speaking to an overseas contact in the belly of the refereeing beast, I'm told post-test reviews this year have been brutal. Basically we can expect more referrals to television match officials (TMOs), because it's been made clear to test referees that the slightest technical mistake will cost them future appointments. No particular country has been mentioned by name but the free-flowing style the All Blacks would like to be playing will obviously suffer from the official demands for nit-picking officiating. On the other hand To end on a positive note, there were plenty of signs in the Black Ferns' 37-12 crushing of Australia in Wellington that suggest we will see real fireworks from the team at the Women's Rugby World Cup when it starts in August in England. The attitude of the Ferns looks as daring as it did during that wonderful October in 2022 when they won not only the Cup but the hearts and minds of every Kiwi rugby lover. Phil Gifford is a Contributing Sports Writer for NZME. He is one of the most-respected voices in New Zealand sports journalism.
