Tonga-born All Black prop Saula Ma’u made his debut in the black jersey in South Africa on Wednesday morning (NZT) and says he is eager for more top international matches.
Ma’u was called up as an injury replacement last week, and took the field with 20 minutes to go at Ellis Park and helped the All Blacks come from 35-17 down to winning the match 41-35.
Emotional and fighting back tears post-match, Ma’u told reporters he was over the moon and would savour the “unreal” moment for life.
“I was talking to this guy before, like a couple weeks ago, I was back at home playing for Otago, and then two weeks later, I’m playing for the All Blacks,” the Havelu village native from Tongatapu said.
“It just feels amazing, unreal, because obviously there was always a goal of mine to one day to play for the All Blacks.
“Just coming into camp last week, just feels crazy to be in that environment. The boys been making me feel welcome. The coaches just getting me up to speed, and yeah, it’s a dream come true. And then obviously, I I want more of it.”
Ma’u, born on 29 April 2000, left Tonga when he was 15 and enrolled at Auckland Grammar.
His pathway took him through Otago, where in 2021 he made the team for the National Provincial Championship (NPC), before a call up to the Highlanders in 2022.
He has been with the franchise since and was in the thick of things during the NPC over the last three weeks.
Last week, he jetted to South Africa to join the All Blacks on ‘The Greatest Rivalry’ tour as a replacement for fellow prop Ollie Norris.
On Wednesday morning, he came off the bench to make his debut, in front of vocal Lions fans at Ellis Park, stating his first taste of international rugby in the black jersey was a tough one.
“It was a bit hard, tougher compared to Super Rugby,” Ma’u said.
“Just the speed, and obviously that’s what Renz (Dave Rennie) is hard on, it’s our work ethic, and yeah, just working hard.”
Ma’u said the scrum contests were tough, and he watched the Lions push and dismantle the All Blacks scrums a few times from the bench, before getting his chance to lock horns with them when his turn came.
“Well, we’re just trying to focus on us, what we’re doing, with how we’re prepping throughout the week,’ he said.
“We’re just training hard, working like many connections with hookers, back five, yeah. Scrum came good though. Came good at the end of the game.
“Credit to the to the back five and the work we did throughout the week, and obviously Jason (Jason Ryan) has been making us work hard in our scrums, like watching videos of the other team, making sure we’re ready for what’s coming on game day.”
Officially All Blacks no 1242, said he just hoped he made his family and village proud before he broke down in tears.
“I just want to say thank to the Heavenly Father for the blessings he gave me to wear the black jersey,” he said.
“Obviously my friends and families back home, my partner, Mum and Dad, and then yeah, just grateful for the coaching staff for the All Blacks for allowing me and giving me a chance to represent my family and my friends, and my village back home.
“Hopefully I have made them proud.”
Ma’u formed a strong front row combination with fellow substitutes Bradley Slater and Xavier Numia as the All Blacks maintained a perfect record in South Africa tour.
Meanwhile, fellow Pasifika heritage players Emoni Narawa and Rieko Ioane scored a double each in the win against the Lions, while Noah Hotham got a try.
The match-day 23 also featured Tongan heritage player Richie Mounga making his return to the All Blacks since 2023.
The side was captained by veteran Blues captain and Samoan heritage player Patrick Tuipulotu.
The All Blacks have won all five matches so far, including a Test against the Springboks. They face South Africa again in the second Test on Sunday morning (NZT).
