Watch: Emotional haka by Tahuriorangi's family after his All Blacks debut
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi made his All Blacks debut against Argentina and the significance of the feat was certainly not lost on his family, who performed a haka after the match at Trafalgar Park in Nelson.
The display by Tahuriorangi's father, father-in-law and fiancee certainly left an impression on the scrum half.
"It just makes the debut extra special. It was just an awesome feeling. To get that kind of haka just personifies where I come from, a little area where not many people make it out. I'm carrying all my whanau from back home", he told Stuff.co.nz.
Tahuriorangi came off the bench to replace TJ Perenara in the final ten minutes of the 46-24 win over the Pumas, becoming All Black number 1174 in the process. Comparisons have been made with current number one scrum half Aaron Smith, with the Chiefs player now appearing to be the third-choice 9 headed into the World Cup next year.
The All Blacks are top of the Rugby Championship table with three wins from three and face South Africa in Wellington next Saturday.
They will be without influential second row Brodie Retallick, who picked up a shoulder injury, with a replacement called up.
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Difference is SA lost by a solitary point in both losses, and in the case of Argentina, away after making 11 changes to the team.
AB losses were by larger margins and lost at home, playing arguably their best sides.
Go to commentsWhat credibility?
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