20-year-old sparks 'New Zealand's answer to Kwagga Smith' hype

The 2024 Bunnings NPC has introduced some new faces to the wider rugby public, and perhaps the rookie stealing the most spotlight is 20-year-old Oli Mathis.

For those watching Waikato this season, you'd be forgiven for thinking there was a pair of identical twin brothers coming through the ranks, one playing at flanker and one on the wing. However, it was one man playing both: Mathis.

Starting the season in the No. 7 jersey, the young gun was generating hype for his robust work in tight. Then, five minutes into Waikato's round four fixture against Northland, the flanker burst through a gap in the defence and swerved his way 40 metres to the try line, burning chasing defenders with winger-like pace.

That pace got another chance to shine at the season's end, as Mathis was named in the No. 23 jersey for round nine's contest with Canterbury and scored two tries after coming on early for right winger Jole Naufahu.

The No. 14 jersey was where the youngster remained for the one-point quarter-final win over reigning champions Taranaki. And then again in the semi-final loss to eventual champions, Wellington, when he again found his way to the try line in spectacular fashion.

Mathis' exploits down the edge quickly started doing the rounds on social media.

"He's New Zealand's answer to Kwagga Smith," Two-time All Blacks hooker James Parsons grinned on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod as the panel discussed the rising star.

"In terms of his development, you might even see him in the sevens. I think he's clearly shown that ability. But, even when he played at seven, I think it was against Northland, he showed this raw pace and this raw ability to break the line and get between defenders.

"I suppose where most coaches were looking at in terms of his role at seven is in and around that collision area and how they grow his body mass. Now, does he lose that speed and ability to play on the wing as he grows? Because he's going to have to fill into his body to play in the six or seven jersey.

"He is (big), but you think Super Rugby seven, international rugby seven... he's young, he's going to grow, he's physically going to develop. If he can do that development and keep that pace, the world's his oyster.

"I was trying to explain to people I was watching with, I was like 'mate, he's a seven'. They were like 'no, he's not'. I'm like 'I'm telling you, he was captain of the schoolboys at seven'. But it is hard to believe, the way he's playing."

As Parsons mentioned, Mathis captained the New Zealand schools team to victory against Australia U18 in 2023, having captained powerhouse Hamilton Boys High School previously - all with the No. 7 on his back.

Whether he sticks to the loose forwards or finds a home on the wing, there's a growing appetite and willingness to accommodate multi-talented players in the professional rugby ranks, with players like South Africa's Kwagga Smith a prime example.

Smith boasts over 150 appearances for South Africa's sevens team the Blitzboks, and has since carved out a unique role under Rassie Erasmus with the Springboks. The flanker's pace and versatility offer the visionary coach just the skillset to execute his audacious 6:2 and even 7:1 bench split tactics.

For Waikato, moving Mathis to the No. 23 jersey had a similar effect, yet with a more Kiwi spin.

"I actually think that was an element of the 4:4 split," Parsons continued. "Because (Waikato coach) Ross Filipo and his team went for four forwards, so four backs, but it's because they had a back that could come into the forwards.

"So, he has actually already allowed for that manipulation in terms of that team structure in a different sense."

Clearly, Mathis' unique physical tools project a bright future, but it was the young man's mentality that allowed him to thrive regardless of position throughout his debut NPC season and impressed the former All Black the most.

"Especially at that age. You're nervous enough to come in and perform in your position that you know bread and butter, but then to get that opportunity and deliver the way he's done...

"I guess it also shows 95 per cent of professional sport is your top two inches. Everyone's going to physically develop, there is no rocket science to that, there's sport science, every team's got it. You're going to get those physical developments, but it's really your mental development and your ability to adjust and man, he's executed it on the big stage and on TV, that's runs on the board. His stocks have risen massively."