All Blacks XV coach Jamie Joseph is adamant that Folau Fakatava harbors a burning passion to don the black jersey again, despite his eligibility to play for Tonga. Fakatava, who first burst onto the international scene with the All Blacks in 2022, has been somewhat sidelined in the pecking order but hasn’t lost his zeal for New Zealand rugby.
After dazzling in his debut against Ireland, Fakatava’s appearances at the Test level have been limited. Currently, he's showcasing his skills in the National Provincial Championship with Hawke’s Bay, pushing his team into the semi-finals. Despite his form, he was overlooked for the main All Blacks squad, with Finlay Christie preferred as the third-choice scrum-half.
Joseph sees the upcoming All Blacks XV tour to Europe — featuring matches against the Barbarians, England A, and Uruguay — as a prime opportunity for Fakatava to prove he's still up to the task. "A hundred percent. I think he’s got a desire to play for the All Blacks," Joseph expressed, emphasizing the player’s commitment to New Zealand despite the option to represent Tonga.
"He’s been around for a long time"
Fakatava isn't just another player; at 25, he's a seasoned campaigner who spent years under the tutelage of Aaron Smith at the Highlanders, mostly making an impact off the bench. Now, as he excels in domestic rugby, Joseph firmly believes Fakatava's time to step back into the international arena could be just around the corner. "He’s playing awesome rugby for Hawke’s Bay. So, a hundred percent he wants to be an All Black. This is the next step, really, for Folau. And he’s got an opportunity," added Joseph.
The All Blacks XV squad also includes eight other internationals, highlighting the depth and talent available for the tour. As they prepare to face a diverse set of opponents, the spotlight will undoubtedly be on Fakatava to seize his moment and reignite his Test career.
With the 2027 Rugby World Cup looming, Fakatava’s performance on this tour could very well determine his future in international rugby, be it with New Zealand or potentially Tonga.
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All Blacks XV coach Jamie Joseph is adamant that Folau Fakatava harbors a burning passion to don the black jersey again, despite his eligibility to play for Tonga. Fakatava, who first burst onto the international scene with the All Blacks in 2022, has been somewhat sidelined in the pecking order but hasn’t lost his zeal for New Zealand rugby.
After dazzling in his debut against Ireland, Fakatava’s appearances at the Test level have been limited. Currently, he's showcasing his skills in the National Provincial Championship with Hawke’s Bay, pushing his team into the semi-finals. Despite his form, he was overlooked for the main All Blacks squad, with Finlay Christie preferred as the third-choice scrum-half.
Joseph sees the upcoming All Blacks XV tour to Europe — featuring matches against the Barbarians, England A, and Uruguay — as a prime opportunity for Fakatava to prove he's still up to the task. "A hundred percent. I think he’s got a desire to play for the All Blacks," Joseph expressed, emphasizing the player’s commitment to New Zealand despite the option to represent Tonga.
"He’s been around for a long time"
Fakatava isn't just another player; at 25, he's a seasoned campaigner who spent years under the tutelage of Aaron Smith at the Highlanders, mostly making an impact off the bench. Now, as he excels in domestic rugby, Joseph firmly believes Fakatava's time to step back into the international arena could be just around the corner. "He’s playing awesome rugby for Hawke’s Bay. So, a hundred percent he wants to be an All Black. This is the next step, really, for Folau. And he’s got an opportunity," added Joseph.
The All Blacks XV squad also includes eight other internationals, highlighting the depth and talent available for the tour. As they prepare to face a diverse set of opponents, the spotlight will undoubtedly be on Fakatava to seize his moment and reignite his Test career.
With the 2027 Rugby World Cup looming, Fakatava’s performance on this tour could very well determine his future in international rugby, be it with New Zealand or potentially Tonga.