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Shaun Stevenson on his All Blacks debut, missing the World Cup and his big Super Rugby year
By Adam Julian
Shaun Stevenson might be the unluckiest player in New Zealand not in the All Blacks in France.
Despite a Super Rugby campaign that saw him score a record-equalling dozen tries for the Chiefs, who beat every team in 2023, he was initially overlooked for selection.
But at least after years of consistency, the Maori All Black can finally call himself an All Black. The gifted and graceful utility debuted in the narrow 23-20 win against Australia in Dunedin prior to the World Cup. His try, receiving a pass from Chiefs teammate Damian McKenzie, was crucial in erasing a 3-17 deficit.
"It was pretty special to get the first one. I had about 30 family fly in from around the country and Australia to watch. Dunedin isn't the easiest place to get to, so we had a few drams with the Gold Coast whanau," Stevenson told RugbyPass.
"In the first half, I had a fair bit coming down my side. I hadn't been training that much on the wing and it took me a while to get a handle on the pace and intensity. When I got more comfortable, I was able to play my natural game."
Stevenson's natural game is an uncanny ability to prize open defence with a combination of swift footwork and calculated, intuitive running. His kicking has grown but there is a persistent narrative that he struggles defensively.
"If you look at the stats, I had one of my better years. The issue is not around my tackling, it's around some micro-skills. It's nothing major. I just need to keep chipping away," Stevenson said.
What did Stevenson make of the All Blacks unimaginative, kick-heavy defeat against France at the World Cup? Stevenson ranked in the top ten of Super Rugby for carries, clean breaks, and defenders beaten.
"I'm not too sure what the game plan was but there would have been a reason for lots of kicking. Achieving the right balance between running and territory is important," Stevenson said.
"It was a close game. There were periods when we had France under the pump. They got all the momentum in the last twenty minutes."
North Harbour has plenty of momentum in the NPC winning four consecutive matches after four defeats to start the competition. Stevenson scored two tries in their 50-31 thrashing of Northland on Saturday.
This weekend North Harbour challenges unbeaten Wellington for the Ranfurly Shield. Stevenson is determined to right an injustice. North Harbour narrowly lost their last bid for the Log of Wood to Hawke's Bay in Napier last year.
Despite three tries to Tevita Lee, a lineout drive try to Kianu Kereru-Symes converted by Lincoln McClutchie gave the Magpies a 25-23 victory. Stevenson was yellow-carded just before that try occurred.
"I got the turnover, but the ref saw it differently," Stevenson complained.
"We felt robbed after that game. We had control but that's footy."
North Harbour last held the Shield in 2006 when they upset Canterbury 21-17 in Christchurch. Viliame Waqaseduadua (2) and Rua Tipoki famously snatched intercepts as Canterbury captain Corey Flynn moaned, “We need a kick in the arse.”
North Harbour has only won four out of 22 Ranfurly Shield matches. By contrast, Wellington has won a record 20 consecutive matches and leads the head-to-head history with North Harbour 19-13 - the visitors only winning twice since 2007.
“Tamati Ellison has got the Lions rolling. They've got a lot of attacking threats but it’s defense that wins games and they’ve been very good there,” Stevenson said.
“It’s hard to put a finger on why we won all three games in Storm week after losing the first four. I guess there wasn’t a lot in those losses, and we only had a couple of days to get things right during storm week, so we didn’t dwell on error too long. The Waikato game was a turning point for us.
“Having Bryn Gatland back with his direction and experience has been massive for us. Kade Banks, Ben Grant, Shiloh Klien, and a lot of guys have been unreal. We've got a few things up our sleeve and we’re definitely heading in the right direction.”
Stevenson has scored 129 points in 58 appearances for North Harbour. With the Chiefs, he has 28 tries in 84 matches. He has scored 70 tries in all first-class rugby.
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