The All Blacks need bolter Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa for tour of South Africa

Sunday, 19 July 2026

OPINION: Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa has left a trail of destruction in his first three years of professional rugby.

The Southland and Moana Pasifika No 8 either ran over or bumped off Quinn Tupaea, Timoci Tavatavanawai and Simon Parker during Super Rugby Pacific this year.

Statistically, he beats more defenders than Peter Lakai from fewer carries, although he was still in top 10 ball carriers this year.

He is exactly what the All Blacks need as they head to South Africa, the land of Springboks No 8 Jasper Wiese.

Sometimes you can overthink things in test rugby when all you really need is a warrior who wants to run through brick walls. Tupou Ta'eiloa fits that bill.

The All Blacks also need a specialist No 8.

Dave Rennie opted for versatility in his 34-man squad for the July tests, but he has 10 names to add for the tour of South Africa when it is announced on Monday week.

Tupou Ta'eiloa is more Billy Vunipola than Kieran Read, but he’s an out-and-out No 8 with a specific ability to get across the gainline.

Even when Tupou Ta'eiloa gets hit, he just keeps coming back for more and his appetite for contact is also evident without the ball.

The tough 22-year-old is also durable. Since his provincial debut in 2023, Tupou Ta'eiloa has already played more than 51 games for Southland and Moana Pasifika, according to Rugby Database.

The wrecking ball has started in 40 of those games and he was instrumental in Southland’s Ranfurly Shield victory against Waikato last year.

Tupou Ta'eiloa rose to prominence with Moana Pasifika, taking a different pathway to most All Blacks.

But he has been on the national radar for years. In fact, he is one of the decreasing number of New Zealand players who have experienced rugby in South Africa.

He was selected in the New Zealand under-19 team for a tour of South Africa in 2022 and has long looked like a player of high promise - albeit something of a rough diamond.

Coincidentally, Canterbury and Blues flanker Torian Barnes was also selected in that under-19 squad and he too is worth a look for the tour of South Africa.

Barnes as one of the Blues’ best players in Super Rugby and also looks like an All Black in the making alongside the likes of Otago and Highlanders loose forward Lucas Casey.

Waikato and Blues flanker Malachi Wrampling also looks like one for the future.

But Tupou Ta'eiloa has one more year of Super Rugby under his belt, and his combination with Ardie Savea at Moana Pasifika last year allowed the All Blacks captain to play a slightly wider role in the No 7 jersey,

All Blacks assistant coach Tana Umaga also knows Tupou Ta'eiloa well - his strengths and weaknesses are and how to get the best out of him.

But Tupou Ta'eiloa also something that you can’t really coach. He’s tough and confrontational for an All Blacks pack that arguably lacks a bit of edge, those are great ingredients.