All Blacks target former Samoan captain's son
Wallace Sititi, son of former Samoan captain Semo Sititi had a breakout Super Rugby Pacific season with the Chiefs.
He had another standout performance against the table-topping Hurricanes this past Saturday to send his team into the final against the Blues.
His work around the park has been immense.
On attack he made a few important breaks that got his side on the front foot and his defence was rock solid.
The Hurricanes were desperate to get back in the match and threw everything at the Chiefs, but all went in vain when Sititi broke the line for a 60-metre run that set up his wing Daniel Rona for the match-winning score.
Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan has no doubts that Sititi can step up to the All Blacks who will face England in a two-test home series that starts July 6.
“I thought he was immense, he had several involvements in big plays. He’s got a massive future,” said McMillan, describing the match as an All Blacks trial.
“A number of our guys would be putting their names in pencil if not ink. You’d have to think he (Sititi) is as good a chance as anybody.”
“He’s young and still got a lot to learn but some people just have something about them that catches the eye and he’s one of them.”
Sititi will have another opportunity to impress when he comes up against Blues loose forward Hoskins Sotutu who’s a 14-Test capped All Black.
Sotutu has been in the test wilderness for some time, but had a stellar Super Rugby campaign which saw him equal the competition record of 12 tries in a season.
This record he now shares with Malcolm Marx and Folau Fainga’a.
Semo Sititi holds the record for playing the third most tests for Samoa – with 59 Tests to his name.
His career started at the Hurricanes followed by stints at British and Japanese clubs.
Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan confirmed in the meantime that hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho has been ruled out of the final after suffering a lower leg injury which could have an impact on selection for the England series.
All Black coach Scott Robertson will name his squad for the series after the Super Rugby Final.
