Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Wallace Sititi hailed by coach as ‘everything you want in an All Black’

By Ned Lester
Wallace Sititi of the All Blacks. Photo by GRANT DOWN/AFP via Getty Images

Without a doubt, one of the biggest takeaways from The Rugby Championship was the emergence of All Blacks rookie Wallace Sititi.

ADVERTISEMENT

Following an injury to Ethan Blackadder, the 22-year-old was thrust into the starting lineup and asked to add physicality to the All Blacks’ front line against the world-champion Springboks. 

A challenge that would’ve proven too steep for most, but not the rookie.

Looking like one of the best players on the park from then onwards as he locked down the starting No. 6 role, Sititi has made it clear he will be a big part of this All Blacks team for years to come. 

Video Spacer

Video Spacer

The man he needed to impress the most was All Blacks forwards coach Jason Ryan. As the forwards guru would reveal following the championship, Sititi made a remarkable impression.

“There’s a lot of positives about Wallace,” Ryan told the Aotearoa Rugby Pod. “When you talk about a young player that’s arrived at the Test level and just thrived. It’s almost like the bigger the contest, the better he goes.

“His explosive power with the ball but also jumping, through his instincts and speed of the ground really helps the speed of our line out.

“As you’d know as a hooker if the boys know they can hit the target and he might pluck out a few loose ones because of his skill in the air, well, he’s probably saved us a couple of times through no fault of anyone in particular.

ADVERTISEMENT

“But yes, he’s really quick off the ground which basically gets the ball in his hands and out of his hands to the nine really fast.”

Related

Ryan was full of pride for his young forwards and their nous at the lineout, particularly given this year begins the post-Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick era.

In an All Blacks loose forward trio that receives the odd bit of criticism for lack of height compared to their counterparts in the big leagues of international rugby, the explosiveness of athletes like Sititi and Ardie Savea has kept the New Zealand lineout competitive.

The coach’s high praise for Sititi’s skill set on the field was only equalled by his praise for the young man’s attitude off it. The coach commended his composure which has proven to be well beyond his years.

ADVERTISEMENT

“He’s from a great family, he’s an extremely humble young man. He’s everything you’d want an All Black to be really. 

“He gets about his work, he’s extremely grateful. He’s always looking to get better, he’s asking lots of questions but by the time it gets to the game we just want him to play and he’s done a great job of that. He’s been exceptional and I’m really proud of the work he’s done.”

Watch the highly acclaimed five-part documentary Chasing the Sun 2, chronicling the journey of the Springboks as they strive to successfully defend the Rugby World Cup, free on RugbyPass TV (*unavailable in Africa)

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

E
EV 6 hours ago
Is this why Ireland and England struggle to win World Cups?

Rassie is an extremely shrewd PR operator but the hype and melodrama is a sideshow to take the attention from the real reason for the Boks dominance.


Utimately the Boks dominate because Rassie and his team are so scientific and so driven. His attention to detail and obsessive analysis smacks of Tom Brady's approach.


He has engineered a system to find and nurture talent from the best schools to the most desolate backwaters. That system has a culture and doctrine very similar to elite military units, it does not tolerate individuals at the expense of the collective.


That machine also churns out three to five world class players in every position. They are encouraged to play in Ireland, England, France and Japan where their performance continues to be monitored according to metrics that is well guarded IP.


Older players are begged to play in the less physical Japanese league as it extends their careers. No Saffa really wants to see Etzebeth or Peter Steph or Pollard play in France or British Isles. And especially not in South Africa, where you just have these big, physical young guns coming out of hyper competitive schools looking for blood.


Last but but no means the least is the rugby public's alignment with the Springbok agenda. We love it when they win between World Cups but there is zero drama if they lose a game or a string of games for the sake of squad depth.


It's taken time to put it together but it has just matured into a relentless machine.

8 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Sale Sharks No.8 Du Preez opens talks with Top 14 big boys Sale Sharks No.8 Du Preez open talks with Top 14 big boys
Search