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New generation incoming: 'Mark Tele'a has assessed the lay of the land'
By Ned Lester
Mark Tele’a’s days as an All Black are over. That’s the prevailing belief now the winger has opted to play out his career in Japan, despite remaining eligible for the remainder of 2025 as he sees out his New Zealand Rugby contract.
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While being 28 years of age, Tele’a is still relatively new to the international arena as something of a late bloomer in his rugby career. That factor added shock value to the announcement of his move, and so too did the idea of a global star in their prime voluntarily stepping away from the most iconic jersey in rugby.
Still, the news has been received with understanding in many circles, given the rugby world is a “volatile industry” and players are often “flavour of the month one moment, gone the next”. Those are the words of Kiwi journalist and insider Liam Napier, who shared his thoughts in the wake of the move.
“Security and cash. I don’t think you can make any bones about it, that the chance to set yourself up from a financial perspective, the independence that brings as a 28-year-old winger,” Napier explained to Newstalk ZB‘s D’Arcy Waldegrave.
“Wingers do tend to expire earlier than other players. There’s a history of All Black greats; Jeff Wilson, Christian Cullen, Jonah Lomu, none of these guys played for the All Blacks beyond the age of 27 years old. So, wingers do tend to get surpassed earlier than others.
“If you look at one position where bolters seem to come out of the woodwork – a Nehe Milner-Skudder, Waisake Naholo – come World Cup time, the All Blacks, and other teams, tend to select on form.
“So, Mark Tele’a has assessed the lay of the land here, he’s going to double his wage as I understand it, going up to Japan to play for Toyota, Steve Hansen and Ian Foster’s team up there.
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“So, from his perspective, he’s weighed up adding a few All Blacks Tests, scoring a few tries, potentially, but no guarantees, contesting another World Cup, or setting himself up for life.”
The Aucklander parts ways with his local club, the Blues, as a Super Rugby Pacific champion and a central figure in two New Zealand campaigns, including a World Cup. However, Napier also highlighted Tele’a’s inadvertent role in one of the All Blacks’ biggest dramas of 2024.
“By all accounts that was one of the sticking points between Razor and Leon MacDonald; Leon MacDonald favoured Mark Tele’a and Razor (Scott Robertson) favoured Sevu Reece.”
That selection debate is unlikely to continue in Naper’s eyes.
“I think if you’re Razor, you’re probably looking to move on. Mark’s available, by all accounts, until the back end of this year… but you’re probably looking to move on and invest in others.
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“You’re two years out from a World Cup, you want to be starting to build plans around your outside backs and solidifying some combinations. So, there’s a real chance he has played his last Test.”
As for the future of the wing position, there are numerous Kiwis putting their hand up for higher honours, and while none offer quite the X-factor of Tele’a at this very moment, the potential is vast.
“There’s probably not a like-for-like replacement. Mark’s a very unique character in the way he plays the game; very, very deceptive, he doesn’t look fast or strong, he’s a quite slight build. But there’s nobody out there quite like him.
“I think Caleb Clarke’s a lock on the left wing. He is the incumbent. By the end of the year last year, he really established his presence there. And then you are probably looking at Sevu Reece, who has been good at the Crusaders this year.
“Chay Fihaki’s another one, he was a surprising inclusion as injury cover in the All Blacks last year. There was suggestions of Crusaders’ bias around his inclusion but he has been really strong on the wing for the Crusaders when he’s played this season.
“And then you’ve got two 22-year-old prospects in the mix – on the fringe anyway – Caleb Tangitau has been a revelation for the Highlanders, and Macca Springer at the Crusaders is in good form.
“If you’re looking for power options you’ve got guys like Kini Naholo, or a (Timoci) Tavatavanawai – although he’s playing in the midfield and his form’s dipped a little bit.
“It depends on the type of winger that Razor’s looking for, does he want a fast finisher? Does he want another power wing to complement Caleb Clarke?
“You’ve also got Leicester Fainga’anuku coming back from France, and he, by all accounts, is going to be available from the Rugby Championship onwards in August, having signed for the Crusaders next year.
“He’s predominantly played centre for Toulon up in France for the past two years but has played wing as well for the Crusaders.
“So, a lot of options there, it’s going to be interesting to see which way they go.”
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That’s one of things I’m going to be disappointed not to see, how good his longevity would be. Take away even the type of winger he is compared to those others, it was the age factor, would coming into pro rugby, as in full time contact and strength work, injury relatable activities, some 3 or 4 years later than most, extend that typical life span of a winger through to the next World Cup?
I can’t believe he’s getting twice as much money. I think that is probably an error or an exaggeration comparing his last contract to this new one. He would surely have received a big bump up from NZR as well in a new contract. Or is the climate that volatile for everyone? I’d imagine he’d be able to get 500k+ from NZR, theres no way you need more than that to setup any amount of family, so that’s a copout for real reasons like the management and treatment.
Two years out is next year Liam (🤣), so between now and then, basically over the course of the year, I think you’d need to wane out both Reece (there’s no way someone would go that far to favour Sevu Reece) and Tele’a out and have potential RWC players starting. Who would they be.. worth looking at this year (because they may come next or the year after)?
Clarke and Leicester are you’re locks for the left wing.
Big Jim, even though they’d be looking at him and Jordie being the main #23 options for the side, could indeed get gametime on the right wing this year before being moved into 12.
Caleb is the obvious one of course. I could have him in through the French tour, more likely just in the RC squad, but definitely in by Nov if you’re ensuring your not rushing him in when he’s uncomfortable. He does appear to be that guy however, he’ll .. you know.. from the get go. But he’s gone better on the left this year.
Nareki is your main starter replacement. He’s experienced, and got the skills and team work that Tele’a and Reece don’t. I can’t see any reason why he can’t shift to the right and be their versatile player instead of Jordan. His skills are just going to last and be more relevant than Reece’s.
Next up are different footballers, like James Lowe, that need smart open minds to be appreciated. Leroy Carter has been immense coming into the professional environment of Super Rugby, from sevens, having had a few season at NPC level where I never really took note. He has a very good alround game and looks to be a top class professional and top bloke, I’d definitely feel safe with him on one with and threats in the other two spots. Also Kryen Taumoefolau looks more a League winger to me, which would need a much different plan than for Tele’a or Reece, and probably more time than the rest of this season and some NPC might give.
Then you’ve got guys I’m not so sure I’d want to see this year like, wait for it.. Fihaki (keep waiting), Stevenson, Love, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Zarn Sullivan as their replacements (some good fullback prospects in that group though). Might Jordan need to be used more at 14 if they jettison them both early like Liam suggests they will? I haven’t forgotten you if you’re still waiting, my next Dagg, the next Corey Jane for me is Jacob Ratamaitavuki-Kneepkens. Played superbly last season for a good 7-8 weeks the Landers, and solid in the skills department for the rest. Would love to be able to see if stats indeed show he has a low error rate, he could show he has the class to play both positions tactically (at a minimum) and really add to the teams counter attack threat.
Emoni Narawa is not really someone I’m that sure about anymore, after having a season at center and looking good mainly. It just feels to me like he’s not going to perfect his craft enough as a wing to AB class despite having the ability to. Certainly more productive than someone like Fihaki, in all three facets, running, kicking, and on defence. Even more than Reece if I’m honest (who appears to have already hit that barrier referenced in this article, not much he can do about it), not that that would be hard for two of them.
Looking further though, Springer I have wraps on and he should already be starting over the other two at SR level, but I don’t think Razor should do a Farrell and select him before he’s first taken his place in the Crusaders team. Further down the line it’s not worth naming prospects for at this point, next to zero chance they come through this season.
The loss of Mark in particular puts the AB’s in a bit of a pickle if you ask me.
Liam Napier summed up the situation well. People criticizing Chay Fihaki of the Crusaders have simply ignored the way he is playing on the wing. He is scoring a great try just about every game and is good in the air. Macca Springer , his team mate is a try scoring machine, inspite of what people are saying is getting plenty of game time, bench roles are important. Those other wings mentioned , especially Highlanders player are going great..
No one’s been saying his not strong for the Crusaders. They’ve been saying if he’s only strong for the Crusaders, how is he going to be strong for the All Blacks?
Take someone else in place of him, like Springer, who’s been outstanding, and you can’t really make a case for him can you?
People were confused because he hadn’t proven himself in super rugby up to that point. The selection blocked guys like Stevenson and Narawa (who had played to a much higher level for a longer period) getting another chance to prove themselves in the AB’s environment.
Very interesting claim that McDonald may have left over a Reece vs Tele’a dispute however…
No sorry thats got nothing to do with why Fihaki was critisized. He was gifted a position when he was not of ABs quality. He may well be a 80 test AB but he was not AB quality last year. Do you want your Saders 3rd string 9 as an AB coz he scored a hatrick didnt he?