– Photo courtesy of Getty Images
Chilly conditions at the ‘Edinburgh of the south’ could well put a fire in the bellies of an English rugby contingent. However, across the paddock at Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium, a ‘Razor’ sharp squad of antipodeans will be intent on sending this England army home to think again.
“The first test of the year is always special and we’ll be putting our best foot forward against a quality England squad,” All Black flanker, Dalton Papalii, told the Times. “We know they’ll come at us physically and they are good over the ball, so it’s just about walking towards that challenge.”
Perhaps the answer to the question ‘who is the next Richie McCaw?’ (or the next Sam Cane, depending on where a pundit’s preference may lie), Dalton became a fan favourite during a smashing season for Auckland in the 2018 Mitre 10 Cup (aka the NPC – National Provincial Championship). When the call came to cover Cane (due to injury), this able loose forward stepped up for the All Blacks later that same year. Since then, he has been a regular selection for good reasons.
A former Saint Kentigern College First XV star, Dalton is no McCaw doppelganger but he’s also often the bane of the breakdown on defence, making more turnovers than a baker on pancake day; similarly, he’s no ‘play it again Sam’, but Dalton is an apt tackler too.
Considering these characteristics (and more) it’s not surprising he made the Razor’s cut. Named in Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson’s first All Black squad, Dalton is set to start in the seven jersey for game one of the midyear internationals against England.
“There are always a few nerves and excitement coming into the All Blacks, so that never changes,” Dalton says of his selection. “This new coaching group have brought a lot of energy and new ways of doing things, and that’s refreshing as we head into the season.”
If Dalton was nervous about whether or not he’d receive ‘that call’ from Razor, many fans were shocked to learn that another Blues’ loose forward’s phone remained silent.
“Hoskins [Sotutu] had a great season for the Blues and he was a big part of us winning the title,” Dalton says of his Howick-raised comrade. “You always feel for your teammates when they don’t get the nod, but he’s a quality player and I’m sure that he will keep putting his hand up.”
Hoskins and Dalton debuted for Auckland at provincial level before switching allegiances to the Counties Manukau Steelers – 2021 and 2020 respectively. However both have remained ‘Blues blooded’ at Super Rugby level.
A raging eight to Dalton’s savvy seven, Hoskins was a star for the Blues (named Player of the Season) as ghosts were laid to rest during a grand final win at Eden Park on June 22.
While the Auckland franchise’s last Super Rugby silverware wasn’t claimed too long ago – winning a Trans-Tasman title during a Covid-impacted season in 2021 – it was the team’s first full Super Rugby title in more than two decades. Considering Dalton and most of his teammates were still in short pants back in 2003 (if not, nappies!) their hard earned triumph was much cause for celebration.
“We definitely celebrated the win. It was a special moment for the club, our fans and our families. It’s been a long time, so to be able to bring the title back to Auckland and the Blues region was really special and something we’ll savour for a long time. Any title is special for different reasons, including the one in 2021, but winning the Super Rugby Pacific crown this year is right up there in terms of highlights.”
Dalton is the only Saint Kentigern College old boy set to start against England this evening (kick off 7.05pm), but he’s not the only Saint who’ll be marching onto the Dunedin pitch with veritable ginger ninja, Finlay Christie, bringing impact off the bench. Dalton confirms the east Auckland school played a key role in his grassroots development.
“I loved my time at St Kents,” he says. “That’s where it all started in terms of the footy and it’s always great to see [other] old boys like Finlay [Christie] and Tamaiti [Williams] achieving at the highest levels of the game.”
Tamaiti will wait his turn to take to the park this season – although not suiting up tonight, the Crusader’s prop is included in the overall series’ squad.
In camp (more or less) since the confetti settled following the Super Rugby final, Dalton, Finlay, Tamaiti and the rest of the 2024 All Blacks have been marshalling their energies in preparation for tonight’s match.
“We’ve had a great couple of weeks in Wellington,” Dalton adds. “It’s allowed us to connect and get real clarity as a group as we walk together toward the challenge England will bring in Dunedin.”
Only 23 Kiwis will step onto the (likely) crispy grass at Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr. However, just as the England team is expected to do, thanks to ‘a stadium of millions’, the All Blacks will walk on with more than just hope in their hearts and they certainly won’t be walking alone.
For more information about tonight’s match, including full team lists, visit www.allblacks.com. And, to read Jim Birchall’s take on the team set to tackle the English, click here.
