Latest news with #QuinnTupaea
NZ Herald
18-07-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
All Blacks v France: Quinn Tupaea's resilience on path to homecoming test in Hamilton
Quinn Tupaea knows more than most the resilience required to ride the rugby wave. Tupaea starts his first homecoming test in Hamilton as the All Blacks seek to finish off the French on Saturday. Running out at Waikato Stadium surrounded by Chiefs teammates – five in the starting backline
RNZ News
25-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
All Blacks: Quinn Tupaea back in black and ready to boogie
Quinn Tupaea of the Chiefs. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2025 It's been three years since Quinn Tupaea was last in the All Blacks and so now he's determined to make it count. The Chiefs midfielder made his international debut in 2021 and played 14 tests before suffering a serious knee injury in a Bledisloe Cup match against the Wallabies in Melbourne in 2022. He hasn't been sighted in an All Blacks jersey since. However, he's been named in coach Scott Robertson's All Blacks squad to take on France in three tests in New Zealand next month. Quinn Tupaea is back in the All Blacks. Photo: Jeremy Ward/Photosport Tupaea said he found out he had earned a recall at the same time as the public. "Just on TV, same as everyone else. Just sitting on the couch at home with my partner. There were a few tears," Tupaea said. "It was a pretty special moment. I was unsure if I'd make it or not and to hear my name get called towards the end there was a bit of relief and a lot of excitement." He admits there were a few nerves as he waited for his name to be read out. "Yeah, there were a lot of Ts. I think there were five or six last names with Ts before myself, and then once I heard Tavatavanawai (Highlanders midfielder Timoci Tavatavanawai) and I knew there were four other midfielders already named, I thought there was a slim chance. "Once they eventually got to Tupaea, it was a lot of relief." Tupaea said as soon as he was injured he made it his goal get back in the All Blacks. "That's why it feels so special to be back there now," Tupaea said. "It's a place I've worked hard to get back to. I was more focused on performing well for the Chiefs and I guess that's how you get selected and picked. "I knew performing well would give me a good chance to be here." Obviously Tupaea hasn't played for the All Blacks since Scott Robertson took over as coach. "It's going to be cool to experience the new coaches and squad. I'm excited to hopefully play some minutes and ultimately put the black jersey back on." Quinn Tupaea. Photo: Jeremy Ward He said he was given some ideas on what Robertson and co wanted to see from him earlier this year. "I haven't spoken to anyone since being named, but throughout the season we had small chats with coaches and what they were trying to see in my game. "I guess that's being physical on both sides of the ball and and having a high skill set. "Here at the Chiefs, that was a big part of our game plan. That initial first carrier sets up everything after. It's part of the game I love. The contact area and carrying the ball." Tupaea would also love to get some game time during the France series, with the third test against France in his home town of Hamilton. "Getting on the field (in any test) would be the main goal and then to play in the Hamilton test would be awesome. To play in front of friends and family." Tupaea was part of a bitterly disappointed Chiefs side who were beaten by the Crusaders in last weekend's Super Rugby final in Christchurch, with the visitors now having lost four title deciders in the last five years. "It's been a crazy few days," Tupaea said. "Losing a final was very tough for this group and myself and then the highs of the All Black team naming on Monday was (strange)."
Reuters
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Tavatavanawai among five new caps in All Blacks squad for France series
June 23 (Reuters) - 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.
RNZ News
20-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Chiefs star Quinn Tupaea aims for Super Rugby Pacific title, All Blacks recall
HOLD FOR FRIDAY Quinn Tupaea was just a youngster, when the Chiefs won back-to-back titles in 2012-13. Photo: Jeremy Ward/Photosport Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final Crusaders v Chiefs Kickoff: 7,05pm Saturday, 18 June Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch Live blog updates on RNZ Quinn Tupaea was a Chiefs fan before he was a player and he'd like nothing more than to help the franchise win another Super Rugby title. Twelve years have passed since they last lifted the trophy and they've suffered the heartbreak of defeat in the past two finals. They take on the Crusaders in Saturday night's title decider in Christchurch, where the hosts have never lost a playoff game . The Chiefs finished as top qualifiers for the post-season and midfielder Tupaea played a big role in their success, scoring several tries and making big defensive plays for his side. He said winning a Super Rugby title would be a career highlight. "That's the dream, that's the goal," Tupaea said. "Born in bred in Hamilton, I grew up a Chiefs fan, so to bring a championship to the city and to this region would mean the world to myself and this team." He was just a youngster, when the Chiefs won back-to-back titles in 2012-13, but Tupaea, 26, remembers them well. "I was 12 and 13," he said. "I was at those finals, sat in the family zone on the left side of the stadium and have some great memories with my family. "Looking back on it now, that's the feeling I want to bring to our fans and win a championship for our region. "There's been a lot of heartbreak for our fans the last 4-5 years, not getting over the line. We have very passionate fans and we get great crowds every week, so to bring the title to Hamilton for our fans, that would mean a lot." Tupaea's form in the Chiefs midfield has been impressive this season, but he's quick to credit his team for helping him produce consistent performances. "I've been showing up to work every day, wanting to get better, and my success this year has been on the back of of a successful team as well," he said. "It's a lot easier to play behind a good pack, and good nine and 10 [halfback and first-five] combo." "I'm enjoying my rugby and pretty happy." Quinn Tupaea's Super Rugby Pacific form may earn him an All Blacks recall. Photo: Brett Phibbs / Tupaea's played so well, he could earn an All Blacks recall on Monday, when the squad to play France in three tests in July is named. He hasn't featured for the All Blacks since 2022, when he suffered a serious knee injury against the Wallabies. While firmly focused on the task at hand with the Chiefs, he doesn't conceal his desire to return to the national side. "I would obviously like to get recalled into the [All Blacks] squad," Tupaea said. "It's a goal I set myself every year. "It's a place I want to be playing and it's the team I want to be in - it's a no-brainer. I'd like to hear my name called on Monday." Before then, the Chiefs must overcome history and end the Crusaders 31-match unbeaten run in home playoffs to win Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific final. Tupaea said that would make victory all the sweeter. "That's it - 31 and one, thank you very much!" Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
14-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Super Rugby Pacific live updates: Chiefs v Brumbies
Quinn Tupaea in action for the Chiefs against Brumbies. Photo: Brett Phibbs / Who will meet the Crusaders in next weekend's final? Both sides come off contrasting results and motivations - the Chiefs desperate to finally taste glory, after two final defeats in a row, while the Brumbies carry the hopes of Australian rugby. Kickoff is at 7.05pm. Follow all the action with RNZ's live blog: Chiefs: 1. Ollie Norris, 2. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 3. George Dyer, 4. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Luke Jacobson, 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Daniel Rona, 14. Emoni Narawa, 15. Shaun Stevenson Bench: 16. Brodie McAlister, 17. Jared Proffit, 18. Reuben O'Neill, 19. Jimmy Tupou, 20. Kaylum Boshier, 21. Xavier Roe, 22. Josh Jacomb, 23. Gideon Wrampling Brumbies: 1. James Slipper, 2. Billy Pollard, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Nick Frost, 5. Tom Hooper, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Rory Scott, 8. Tuaina Taii Tualima, 9. Ryan Lonergan, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Corey Toole, 12. David Feliuai, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Andy Muirhead, 15. Tom Wright Bench: 16. Lachlan Lonergan, 17. Lington Ieli, 18. Feao Fotuaika, 19. Lachlan Shaw, 20. Luke Reimer, 21. Harrison Goddard, 22. Declan Meredith, 23. Ollie Sapsford
