Northern Edition
Select Edition
Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

'I don't want to go out there and change': Shaun Stevenson's plan for his All Blacks debut

Shaun Stevenson warms up during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and South Africa Springboks at Mt Smart Stadium on July 15, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)

Shaun Stevenson is set to become an All Black after being named in the No 14 jersey to face the Wallabies on Saturday afternoon but the Chiefs flyer isn’t going to change his approach.

ADVERTISEMENT

After lighting up Super Rugby Pacific this season the prolific try-scorer nicknamed ‘Shooter’ after try-scoring celebrations plans to remain true to himself.

The 26-year-old played mostly as a fullback this year but finished a few games out on the wing, a position familiar to him after 83 Super caps since his debut in 2016.

Video Spacer
Video Spacer

“I wouldn’t say much changes, just have to learn a few more roles on the wing,” Stevenson said of the transition between fullback and wing.

“Like the boys have said, my footy has just got me to this point in my career and I don’t want to go out there and change.

“Because it’s my first game I’m going to go out there and play my footy in the structures.

“A few new roles to learn but apart from that I’m just going to play my natural game.”

Stevenson has had to be patient for a chance to make his debut after four weeks in camp following his call-up as injury cover ahead of the trip to Argentina.

He missed initial quad selection but doubts over Mark Telea’s fitness gave him a second chance, something that head coach Ian Foster said he has made the most of.

ADVERTISEMENT

“It’s just one of those things in life, you’ve got to roll with the punches,” he said of his journey this year

“Obviously I was gutted not to make the initial squad, but you can’t dwell on it too long.

“I got an opportunity to come into this camp and put my best foot forward in front of the coaches.

“They gave me a few work ons to do, so the last four weeks I’ve just been trying to learn as much as I can and critique those things they saw in my game.”

ADVERTISEMENT

“Just grateful to get an opportunity.”

It’s been an emotional week for the Stevenson family as the ultimate dream has finally come to life after eight years of life as a professional rugby player and Super Rugby.

The culmination of a dream will come true when he runs out at Forsyth Barr Stadium in the black jersey for the first time.

The last two All Blacks debutants in the No 14 jersey, Mark Telea and Emoni Narawa, both scored on their debuts.

The previous right wing to do it was Nehe Milner-Skudder, who scored on debut against the Wallabies in Sydney in 2015.

“Obviously a few tears, my dad and my poppa. I don’t hear my dad cry that much, shed a few tears over the phone, it was pretty special,” Stevenson recalled of his call to tell his family.

“The last four weeks have really been a grind in a way. Obviously just really stoked to get a crack in this environment, not just for myself but for my family, all my mates that have been along on the journey with me.

“Still hasn’t quite sunk in yet, probably won’t until we get to the game and finally run out.”

 

 

 

 

ADVERTISEMENT

KOKO Show | July 22nd | Full Throttle with Brisbane Test Review and Melbourne Preview

New Zealand v South Africa | World Rugby U20 Championship | Extended Highlights

USA vs England | Men's International | Full Match Replay

France v Argentina | World Rugby U20 Championship | Extended Highlights

Lions Share | Episode 4

Zimbabwe vs Namibia | Rugby Africa Cup Final | Full Match Replay

USA vs Fiji | Women's International | Full Match Replay

Tattoos & Rugby: Why are tattoos so popular with sportspeople? | Amber Schonert | Rugby Rising Locker Room Season 2

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

4 Comments
b
by George! 719 days ago

Go get 'em boy.

r
rod 720 days ago

Actually I’m looking forward to the Aussies trying to pressure Jordan in this game that’s what the coach wants to see. There are 13 changes from the last game but the back three have some serious firepower and if the ABs dominate in the forwards it will be a whitewash

R
Ruby 720 days ago

I would've put him at Fullback, Will Jordan simply isn't up for it, poor defender and a terrible kicker. If I were the Wallabies I would be planning on applying a ton of kick pressure on Will knowing that a return kick could be a disaster for the All Blacks. If Will is smart he'll just run with it but then he might as well be on the Wing.


Edit: downvote all you want, all it tells me is that I've seen him kick and miss tackles and you have impaired vision. Will Jordan is the best Wing in the world, he isn't at all suited to Fullback yet.

J
JW 720 days ago

Will has been named Fullback? I feel Stevenson is a most like for like replacement of Will if he went down and that would be seen as his primary selection reason, so it makes sense to play him in Will's position. I could imagine him moving to 15 and Will being subbed as well.

Load More Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

P
PM 55 minutes ago
Report card: Ratings all 35 England players from the 2025 July Tests

George had a good tour to showed he is back to his best level.


Heyes did well but shame we didn’t test Fasogbon this tour.


Not sure ENG solved the confusion in the back row, as Underhill probably added to it. Curry, Curry, Pollock & Pepper are likely the go forward open-side options and they need to give games to Pollock & Pepper, so will see in the AI’s. Underhill is better than both but they also need games to develop. It’s 5 good players into 3 or 4 spots.


We need to find the 8 to replace Willis at 60 mins and would like to have seen CC-S used over Dombrandt but will also have Earl & Pollock back, who could fill that last 20 min need.


Will be interesting to see if SB tries Chessum/T Curry/ Willis or sticks with Curry/Curry/Willis with Pollock & Pepper coming off the bench. This feels like the short term future of our back row. Tough on Hill, never felt like he has been given a chance and too many wasted caps on Dombrandt at the expense of CC-S.


Not sure why Quirke was not selected, scrum half is still an issue and whilst Spencer did his best in an England shirt, JvP & Quirke have time on their side, whereas Spencer is not getting any younger. feels like a wasted opportunity at 9 and hard to see how we test them all when Mitchell returns as starter.


Atkinson was the big success, just hope they don’t pick Farrell at 12 and delay Atkinson’s development, he needs game time, which will be a challenge if Farrell returns.


Back 3 feels like Furbank, Freeman & IF-W but Carpenter, Roebuck & Hendy adds strength in depth to that back 3 and will be interesting to see how quickly Lee Blackett gets Arundell back to his best at Bath.


Some big selection decisions for Steve Borthwick, which he occasionally struggles making at this level (Mitchell, Willis etc). Interesting few months ahead but certainly heading in the right direction.

13 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France