All Blacks’ Jarrad Hoeata delighted with debut performance against Fiji - Rugby News
The All Blacks prospect, Jarrad Hoeata, made his debut against Fiji on July 22 and is delighted to have represented the World Number 1 in a test match. The All Blacks played a fundraiser test against the Pacific Nation side to help the earthquake hit people
of Christchurch.
The youngster was given the opportunity to make his maiden appearance in an International match by New Zealand selectors and the expressed his jubilance on July 23 in a press conference. He helped his side maintain their flawless record against Fiji to collect
a sixth consecutive victory since 1987 as the All Blacks battled past the Fijians with a huge margin of 60-14 in Dunedin.
The 27-years-old Hoeata, who plays at the lock position, presented an excellent display of rock solid defence before he left the field in the second-half. Hoeata was called up to the All Blacks side from his provincial side, Taranaki, to play for his national
team in the one-off test.
He has been playing for the Taranaki side since 2006 and will miss further matches of the ongoing ITM championship and will participate in the Tri-Nations Cup, starting on July 23. The lock has also been playing in the Super Rugby format since 2010 after
he started with the Chiefs. Later on, he joined the Highlanders in the last addition of the Super Rugby championship and impressed the All Blacks’ selectors with his tackling expertise.
Talking to the reporters Hoeata said that, “It was a very proud moment for myself and the family but it was a bit nerve-wracking going into it but once we got the haka and the anthems out of the way then it was all time to go. Just feeling all those emotions
all kind of hit you at once - it was very special.”
He further said that, “The All Blacks are another step up again but playing games like that definitely gives you confidence and knowledge that you can match international teams.”
Hoeata also told reporters that his knee injury will be healed before the first clash of Tri-Nations Cup against South Africa on July 30.
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