All Blacks head honcho Scott Robertson isn't sweating over Kyren Taumoefolau's bold ambitions to don the black jersey. With the new Chiefs wing freshly signed, his sights are set firmly on a future with New Zealand, despite his past ties with Tonga.
Taumoefolau, a 22-year-old speedster with 21 caps and 12 tries for Moana Pasifika, recently inked a two-year deal with the Chiefs, sealing his commitment until 2026. His rugby journey saw him making five appearances for Tonga, including a stint at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. However, his last match for Tonga was against Romania, and under World Rugby's rules, he must now wait three years to swap national allegiances, positioning him for All Blacks eligibility by October next year.
When quizzed about Taumoefolau's All Blacks aspirations during the squad announcement for the Rugby Championship, Robertson didn’t mince words.
"Anyone that’s eligible is in the picture. It’s great that he has a desire to come and play for the All Blacks. It’s just a little bit of time now, isn’t it, for him? But keep his performance and whatever team he’s playing for, play well,”
Robertson remarked, acknowledging the waiting game ahead.Taumoefolau himself is pumped about his move to the Chiefs, expressing gratitude and excitement for his new chapter.
“I’ve loved my journey so far and I’m really proud of what I’ve been able to achieve with Moana Pasifika. When it came time to make a decision about what’s next, I took a lot of time to think about what was right for me and my wh?nau. Joining the Gallagher Chiefs felt like the best option to keep growing and developing as a player,”
he shared.Chiefs' incoming head coach Jono Gibbes is equally enthusiastic, highlighting the competitive landscape that Taumoefolau navigated to join the team. “We know that he had plenty of options both in New Zealand and abroad, so to get the opportunity to continue to grow and develop his game in the next phase of his career is very exciting for us. Kyren is a player with immense potential, and he embodies many of the values we stand for. We know he’ll thrive in the Chiefs Rugby environment, both on and off the field,” Gibbes added.
As Taumoefolau gears up in Chiefs colors, all eyes will be on this fleet-footed flyer, waiting to see if he can translate his club form into a coveted spot with the legendary All Blacks.