Latest news with #WallaceSititi
NZ Herald
5 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
The All Blacks hopefuls facing nervous wait during playoffs: Elliott Smith's Tight Five
An explanation There might not be enough of a window for players to come from nowhere to make the cut, but the playoffs will crystallise the selections for Scott Robertson and co as they nail down the 35-man squad to face France. It's such an advantage the deeper your side goes in the playoffs, with a chance to show how you play in a pressure game and whether your skillset can remain whole or even expand as the big moments happen. Of course, the opposite can happen – and you can play your way out of the mix. A prediction That's why Fabian Holland and Timoci Tavatavanawai, two players in the All Blacks mix, face a nervous wait as the finals play out. Neither is a certainty to make the squad and there's little they can do over the next three weeks as Josh Lord gets his chance to impress for the Chiefs, while Braydon Ennor and Quinn Tupaea (assuming he can return from an eye injury) – feasibly in a shootout with Tavatavanawai – will be front and centre. A try here, a line-break there, a try-saving tackle, whatever it might be, special plays in the finals mean more to All Blacks selectors. A suggestion There's recent precedent for the playoffs helping to clear up tight selections for the All Blacks coaches, with Wallace Sititi's wrecking-ball performance against the Hurricanes in last year's semifinal for the Chiefs helping to earn him a spot. Akira Ioane and Hoskins Sotutu had a line drawn through their names as the Blues pack was torn to shreds by the Crusaders the previous season, with then All Blacks coach Ian Foster admitting their performances that night had made up the selectors' minds. Wallace Sititi caught the eye of selectors in last season's semifinal against the Hurricanes. Photo / Photosport A question Who can rule the big moments? Even indirectly, there can be comparisons drawn between the players in the mix as to the influence they wield in the last three weeks. Du'Plessis Kirifi may not get a chance to go head to head with Dalton Papali'i in the playoffs, but the chance to show that the former can handle it when the heat is turned up and keep his discipline – a major improvement in his game this year – could prove vital come June 23. Papali'i has an All Blacks jersey to protect after missing last year's end-of-year tour through injury and was seemingly on the outer before then anyway. The All Blacks were found lacking last year in closing out big fixtures, twice in South Africa and against France in Paris – three games they could have won. The Super Rugby playoffs are not test rugby, but they have a big say in who gets there.
NZ Herald
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
All Black Wallace Sititi on his rise to fame, recovery from injury and giving back: ‘Full circle moment'
Rising rugby star Wallace Sititi is fast becoming a household name since his All Blacks debut. Now, he's one of the faces of this year's World Vision 40 Hour Challenge campaign, fundraising to help feed children in the South Pacific. Here Advertisement Advertise with NZME.
RNZ News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Live updates: Chiefs with commanding lead over Moana Pasifika
Wallace Sititi of the Chiefs pushing forward against Moana Pasifika, at FMG Stadium in Hamilton, on Saturday night. Photo: Jeremy Ward/Photosport A season-defining game here for Ardie Savea and his Moana side - a win here and they will complete a clean sweep of the NZ Super Rugby Pacific teams and earn a play-off spot. The Chiefs can take back top spot on the ladder, so there's plenty to play for in Hamilton. Kick-off is at 7:05pm Saturday, NZT. 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. Simon Parker, 7. Luke Jacobson (c), 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. Aidan Ross, 18. Reuben O'Neill, 19. Josh Lord, 20. Samipeni Finau, 21. Xavier Roe, 22. Josh Jacomb, 23. Gideon Wrampling Moana Pasifika: 1. Tito Tuipulotu, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou, 4. Tom Savage, 5. Samuel Slade, 6. Miracle Faiilagi, 7. Ardie Savea (c), 8. Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, 9. Jonathan Taumateine, 10. Patrick Pellegrini, 11. Solomon Alaimalo, 12. Danny Toala, 13. Lalomilo Lalomilo, 14. Kyren Taumoefolau, 15. Tevita Ofa Bench: 16. Samiuela Moli, 17. Abraham Pole, 18. Chris Apoua, 19. Allan Craig, 20. Sione Havili Talitui, 21. Melani Matavao, 22. Julian Savea, 23. Jackson Garden-Bachop
RNZ News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Savea v Sititi: clash of the titans
Chiefs v Moana Pasifika Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 24 May FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton Live blog updates on RNZ Sport It feels appropriate that New Zealand's two most talked about players face off against each other this weekend, after a week when both have been creating headlines. Wallace Sititi, fresh off an earlier than expected return from injury and commitment to NZ Rugby and the Chiefs for the next two years. The comparisons to Sir Michael Jones are becoming more and more frequent, with Sititi's freakish abilities on both sides of the ball able to be showcased with even the briefest of appearances from the bench. Meanwhile, Ardie Savea is very much the present, named Super Rugby Pacific's player of the year thanks to a string of performances this season that are leaving even the most seasoned fans shaking their heads in disbelief. Savea's workrate at his new Moana Pasifika team has been incredible, not only lifting his own game but virtually all of his team mates. Sititi represents the future of the All Blacks, Savea has sparked conversations about how he is the best player in world, and now the two meet on the rugby field for the first time this season. Ardie Savea and Wallace Sititi with the Bledisloe Cup after the All Blacks beat the Australian Wallabies at Accor Stadium in Sydney. 21 September 2024. Photo: Photosport / James Gourley If that all sounds like a heavyweight boxing buildup, it's because this is about the closest we can get regarding a Super Rugby Pacific match. Unlike the pugilistic environment though, both men were keen to talk each other up. "You can only wish to contain, I guess," said Sititi when asked how he would handle the challenge. "There's no stopping Ardie… whether I'm going to get to go up against him or playing with him, he's one of the best ever." Meanwhile, Savea kept his game face on and kept it short. "We're really good mates off the field. But I think once we cross the white line, game on." That's not to say that Savea isn't a big fan of Sititi, last year saying "he's been inspiring" when it was becoming apparent that the youngster was clearly on the road to stardom. "He's come into (the All Blacks) with so much calmness and even wisdom…he's inspiring me with the way he walks and plays," Savea said in Sydney before the year's first Bledisloe Cup test. Chiefs forward Wallace Sititi in action during their Super Rugby Pacific semi-final against the Hurricanes. Photo: photosport Of course, this is one battle inside a very important game for both the Chiefs and Moana. A win for the home team will send them back up to the top of the Super Rugby Pacific ladder, while if Moana can pull the upset, it'll guarantee them of a first ever play-off spot. It'll also mean that Tana Umaga's side would've beaten every NZ Super Rugby team, a feat that would've been labelled unthinkable before this season began. "It hasn't been talked about much," said Savea about the potential milestone. "With this team, it doesn't matter how we win. I've been part of teams where when you win, it feels like a loss. We're here, we're grateful and we're blessed so every win is special."
The Star
20-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-Sititi signs New Zealand Rugby deal through next World Cup
FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Autumn International - England v New Zealand - Allianz Stadium Twickenham, London, Britain - November 2, 2024 New Zealand's Wallace Sititi in action with England's Ollie Lawrence Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs/File Photo (Reuters) -All Blacks number eight Wallace Sititi, who was named World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year in 2024, has signed a contract extension through to the end of the 2027 World Cup. The powerful 22-year-old enjoyed a breakout debut season with the Waikato Chiefs in Super Rugby last year before making his test debut off the bench against Fiji in San Diego in July. "Wallace has made a great start to his professional career," New Zealand Rugby's Chris Lendrum said in a news release. "To receive the 2024 World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year award was recognition of Wallace's athletic prowess, but also his dedication to constant improvement. "We're looking forward to a continuation of his growth over the next two years." The All Blacks have struggled to find a like-for-like replacement for Kieran Read in the number eight jersey since the former skipper retired after the 2019 World Cup, with many considering incumbent Ardie Savea more naturally a flanker. The re-signing is also a big boost for the Chiefs, who set the pace in Super Rugby Pacific this season and welcomed back Sititi from injury a couple of weeks ago for the run-in to the playoffs. "The Chiefs took my family in with open arms and welcomed us right from the start. We really feel at home here. I know my parents and my family enjoy being part of the team culture just as much as I do," Sititi said. "I love playing for the Chiefs. Their style of play suits me. There is still a lot of room for me to grow and develop as a player and I think the best place for me to do is here in New Zealand with the Chiefs." (Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Peter Rutherford)
