This Saturday, Codie Taylor will etch his name into All Blacks lore as he dons the famed black jersey for the 100th time against Argentina in Buenos Aires. A decade after his debut in a similar matchup, Taylor's journey from a rookie to a rugby stalwart comes full circle in this Rugby Championship showdown.
Launching his international career back in 2015 against Los Pumas, Taylor replaced Keven Mealamu to join a victorious 39-18 scrum. His inaugural match was marked by a try, hinting at the prolific career that would follow. Reflecting on his impending milestone, Taylor expressed a deep sense of gratitude and wonder.
"It’s been a journey, I’m blessed and very grateful,"
he shared. The hooker, who dreamed of wearing the All Blacks jersey since childhood, acknowledged the weight of his upcoming centurion status.
Joining the ranks of All Blacks legends isn't just a personal achievement for Taylor but a testament to his resilience and skill. He becomes the 14th All Black to reach 100 caps and only the second hooker after Mealamu to do so. The significance of this isn't lost on him, especially as he recalls the legends whose company he will now join.
"It’s a huge honour,"
Taylor remarked, his voice reflecting the magnitude of his accomplishment.
The highlight reel of Taylor's career glitters with achievements, including being part of the awe-inspiring 2015 World Cup-winning squad. He reminisced about the team's ethos and the legends he played alongside, noting, "That team was one of the, if not the, greatest All Blacks teams that ever was with the amount of legends." This weekend, he will lead the haka, an emblematic moment, witnessed by his wife who has traveled to Buenos Aires to celebrate this milestone.
As Taylor prepares to step onto the field at Estado Velez Sarsfield, he does so not just as a player, but as a living testament to the All Blacks' enduring legacy of excellence and brotherhood. His journey from a dreamy-eyed kid to a centurion is a narrative of dedication, inspired by the legends before him and inspiring those who will follow.
All Blacks team for the game includes Wallace Sititi, who notably returns to the bench, as coach Scott Robertson opts for a bold play with a debutant starting the match.
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This Saturday, Codie Taylor will etch his name into All Blacks lore as he dons the famed black jersey for the 100th time against Argentina in Buenos Aires. A decade after his debut in a similar matchup, Taylor's journey from a rookie to a rugby stalwart comes full circle in this Rugby Championship showdown.
Launching his international career back in 2015 against Los Pumas, Taylor replaced Keven Mealamu to join a victorious 39-18 scrum. His inaugural match was marked by a try, hinting at the prolific career that would follow. Reflecting on his impending milestone, Taylor expressed a deep sense of gratitude and wonder.
"It’s been a journey, I’m blessed and very grateful,"
he shared. The hooker, who dreamed of wearing the All Blacks jersey since childhood, acknowledged the weight of his upcoming centurion status.Joining the ranks of All Blacks legends isn't just a personal achievement for Taylor but a testament to his resilience and skill. He becomes the 14th All Black to reach 100 caps and only the second hooker after Mealamu to do so. The significance of this isn't lost on him, especially as he recalls the legends whose company he will now join.
"It’s a huge honour,"
Taylor remarked, his voice reflecting the magnitude of his accomplishment.The highlight reel of Taylor's career glitters with achievements, including being part of the awe-inspiring 2015 World Cup-winning squad. He reminisced about the team's ethos and the legends he played alongside, noting, "That team was one of the, if not the, greatest All Blacks teams that ever was with the amount of legends." This weekend, he will lead the haka, an emblematic moment, witnessed by his wife who has traveled to Buenos Aires to celebrate this milestone.
As Taylor prepares to step onto the field at Estado Velez Sarsfield, he does so not just as a player, but as a living testament to the All Blacks' enduring legacy of excellence and brotherhood. His journey from a dreamy-eyed kid to a centurion is a narrative of dedication, inspired by the legends before him and inspiring those who will follow.
All Blacks team for the game includes Wallace Sititi, who notably returns to the bench, as coach Scott Robertson opts for a bold play with a debutant starting the match.