League in Perth helped set giant Crusaders prop Tamaiti Williams on path to All Blacks selection
Tamaiti Williams' father, Johnny, had a message for his lad when they lived in Perth.
He reckoned Tamaiti needed to toughen up.
It was time to mix things up, and get a taste of the rough stuff in rugby league.
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Tamaiti Williams of the Crusaders charges forward. Getty
Tamaiti, the 140kg prop who was named in the All Blacks squad for the Rugby Championship, says he remains grateful for the switch and is still a rugby league fan.
So when the State of Origin game is played on Wednesday night he will be cheering for New South Wales.
"I grew up playing rugby league. Union on a Saturday, and league on a Sunday," Williams, one of six props named in the All Blacks on Sunday evening, said.
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Tamaiti Williams of the Maori All Blacks is tackled at FMG Stadium. Getty
In case you were wondering, he wasn't a fancy ball playing back.
He was more the type to tuck the pill under his wing, and go up the guts.
"I was straight up the middle, mate. I loved that sport, too, it was good. My dad put me in league, so I could learn how to tackle. I was a bit scared in the younger grades.''
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The Williams family moved to Perth when he was three months old, and returned to New Zealand when he was 16.
That was followed by a short stint at Kerikeri High School in Northland before he was rewarded with a scholarship to St Kentigern College in Auckland.
Had Williams remained in Perth, he could have been sucked into the Australian rugby system and, who knows, chased a Wallabies jersey.
Crusaders prop Tamaiti Williams pretends to eat a rugby ball. Getty
He says that didn't feature in his thinking as a teenager.
"I grew up in Australia, but I still wanted to play for the All Blacks. My dad said that's what he wanted to be when he grew up, he didn't get the chance.
"For me to have the opportunity to one day hopefully put the black jersey on, that's pretty cool for our family.''
Ofa Tu'ungafasi of the Blues and Tamaiti Williams of the Crusaders. Getty
If the Blues had signed Williams, he could have been in their Super Rugby Pacific squad.
Instead the Crusaders got to him first, and he joined the franchise's academy in Christchurch in late 2019.
"My dad made the decision that this was the best place for me, and I haven't looked back ever since.''
The misfortune of other props in the Crusaders squad this season accelerated Williams' chances of being in the All Blacks.
Test players Joe Moody, George Bower and Fletcher Newell were among those to get injured, forcing Williams to turn up for work for most weekends.
Unlike the All Blacks, who took regular breaks as part of the World Cup player management programme, Williams, who can play both sides of the scrum, stayed on the tools.
That proved a godsend for coach Scott Robertson.
The 22-year-old has made 15 appearances this year, 14 with a starter's number on his back, and is expected to start at loosehead prop for the final against the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday night.
His bulky frame means he's got to graft at maintaining his fitness levels, and having to play more than 800 minutes has been one way of getting that done.
When he lands in the All Blacks setup he will reunite with former Crusaders forwards coach Jason Ryan.
They first worked together with the team in 2021, before the latter was poached by All Blacks coach Ian Foster last year.
Despite the absence of Ryan, and a rising injury count, the Crusaders forwards have maintained their standards and Williams has played a big role in that.
Eddie Jones and Ian Foster after the 2022 draw between England and New Zealand at Twickenham. Getty
He watched the naming of the All Blacks squad with his partner, and his parents, the latter pair having delayed their return to the North Island in the hope of sharing the big moment with their son.
"I only kind of heard the start of my name, and then mum (Natalie) started crying,'' Williams said.
"So I thought it must be good news.''
Cameron Roigard of the Hurricanes runs away to score a try. Getty
The other new caps are Chiefs duo Samipeni Finau and Eroni Narawa, Crusaders utility back Dallas McLeod and Hurricanes halfback Cam Roigard.
Uncapped Chiefs fullback Shaun Stevenson has been named as injury cover for winger Mark Telea and Chiefs lock Josh Lord, backrower Luke Jacobson and flyhalf Damian McKenzie all have received recalls to the New Zealand squad.
Foster's squad announcement comes 82 days before the All Blacks face hosts France in Paris in the first match of this year's Rugby World Cup.
Dallas McLeod of the Crusaders makes a break. Getty
By casting a wide net in naming such a large squad he gives himself a chance to assess as many players as possible before deciding on his final World Cup squad.
The 24-year-old McLeod is probably the biggest surprise, pushed forward because of midfield injuries to players such as David Havili.
McKenzie has been the form playmaker of the season so far, guiding the Chiefs into Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific final against the Crusaders.
"Every All Blacks squad has some great stories to it and also is tough on some people who miss out. We're incredibly excited with this group," Foster said.
"There's a nice blend of existing players but also some new players who we felt have really earned their opportunity to be named today. It's a team which we want to take into this Rugby Championship with a lot of confidence.
"We think it's vital in the championship for this group to really grow its game, to get its game ready so when we hit France at the World Cup we're excited, confident and ready."
Ian Foster of the All Blacks. Getty
New Zealand faces a testing program in the shortened Rugby Championship, playing Argentina in Buenos Aires on July 9, South Africa in Auckland on July 15 and Australia in Melbourne on July 29.
The squad will be pared down after the championship to 33 for the World Cup.
The 23-year-old Narawa has been a powerful attacking force for the Chiefs this year and he has earned a call up alongside wingers Telea, Caleb Clarke and Leicester Fainga'anuku.
Finau came into his own along with Jacobson as the Chiefs fought their way into the Super Rugby playoffs with only one loss in the regular season.
McLeod has been the discovery of the season for the injury hit Crusaders.
"We see Dallas primarily as a midfielder, probably 12," Foster said.
"It's a chance to have a look at him there. He brings versatility, has played on the wing. He's fast and strong, courageous under the high ball." - with AP
ALL BLACKS SQUAD
Hookers: Codie Taylor, Dane Coles, Samisoni Taukei'aho
Props: Ethan de Groot, Fletcher Newell, Nepo Laulala, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Tamaiti Williams, Tyrel Lomax
Locks: Brodie Retallick, Josh Lord, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa'i
Loose forwards: Ardie Savea, Dalton Papali'i, Luke Jacobson, Sam Cane (c), Samipeni Finau, Shannon Frizell
Halfbacks: Aaron Smith, Finlay Christie, Cam Roigard
Flyhalves: Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo'unga
Midfielders: Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod
Outside backs: Caleb Clarke, Emoni Narawa, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Mark Telea, Will Jordan
Injury cover: Shaun Stevenson
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