Wallace Sititi’s special “homecoming” to Scotland will be capped off by a start in the No.6 jersey for the All Blacks at Murrayfield on Sunday morning NZT.
Sititi, named after Mel Gibson’s historical character William Wallace in the movie Braveheart, would have been born in Scotland but for a quirk of fate.
Sititi’s father, Semo, a former Manu Samoa captain, was playing under Kiwi coach Tony Gilbert at the Border Reivers club in Galashiels at the time Wallace was born.
However, rather than have Wallace in Galashiels as planned, Wallace’s mother Rosalind had him in Apia, Samoa, after her father fell ill there and she returned to help look after him.
Wallace returned with Rosalind to Scotland when he was “two or three weeks” old and the family spent another four years there, although Wallace’s memories of the place are limited.
“There is a strong connection here for me and my family,” Sititi said. “It has been a special feeling being back here and experiencing it.”
Semo and Rosalind will not be in Edinburgh to see their son play his 17th Test because, according to RugbyPass, their eldest daughter Maruseana has reached the finals of Miss Samoa so they are in Apia supporting her instead.
Semo told RugbyPass of his son’s upbringing: “He was very young but he loved running with the ball – he still does. I think I still have a photo of Wallace and Maru in kilts. It was a special time for us as a young family, watching our children grow, and that is where Wallace started his love for rugby.”
Wallace, on the bench for the last two Tests, starts ahead of Simon Parker in one of the All Blacks’ few selection surprises this week.
Sititi has brought power and energy off the bench but head coach Scott Robertson this morning said Parker was due for a rest and Du’Plessi Kirifi’s dynamism as an impact player could not be overlooked.
“We just felt that was the combination this week,” Robertson said. “Simon’s had a lot of footy, [and] Du’Plessis is great over the ball.”
A victory for the All Blacks, after their breakthrough win over Ireland in Chicago, would keep their Grand Slam dream alive and preserve an unbeaten record against Scotland that stretches back to 1905.
Adding to the sense of occasion is the fact the Test is the centrepiece of a celebration of 100 years of Test rugby at Murrayfield, the famous old ground a short tram ride from the middle of Edinburgh.
The significance of the Test has been relayed to the team from Robertson, who said of New Zealand’s record against the Scots: “It can lift you up if you use the fear in a good way. We’ve touched on it, but we want to play good footy and show what the All Blacks are all about.”
And first-five Beauden Barrett, who has been involved in two Tests against Scotland at Murrayfield, including the last one in 2017, also delivered a message to his teammates, saying: “I made that clear to the team by sharing a couple of my experiences in recent Test matches here and how difficult it is to play the Scottish at home.
“The margins have been narrow and the Scottish have been in the fight for 80 minutes.”
Barrett, who on Wednesday shot seven-over par at the renowned Renaissance Golf Course, the venue of the Scottish Open, is in the rare position of playing a Test without injured brothers Scott and Jordie this week.
“I can’t recall when the previous time was. It was a little emotional seeing Jordie leave yesterday. Obviously, Scoot’s still here – it’s good to have him here.”
Robertson said he was hopeful that skipper Scott would recover from his cut leg in time to play England at Twickenham next weekend. Jordie has returned home with knee and ankle ligament injuries.
Other than the forced changes, there is a settled look to Robertson’s squad, with Quinn Tupaea and Leicester Fainga’anuku predictably named in the midfield after performing well there last weekend.
Wing Sevu Reece and loose forward Luke Jacobson have been released to play for the All Blacks XV against England A in Bath this weekend.
All Blacks match-day 23
(Test caps in brackets)
1. Ethan de Groot (38), 2. Codie Taylor (104) (vice-captain), 3. Fletcher Newell (32), 4. Josh Lord (9), 5. Fabian Holland (10), 6. Wallace Sititi (16), 7. Ardie Savea (104) (captain), 8. Peter Lakai (6), 9. Cam Roigard (15), 10. Beauden Barrett (142) (vice-captain), 11. Caleb Clarke (31), 12. Quinn Tupaea (22), 13. Leicester Fainga’anuku (9), 14. Leroy Carter (4), 15. Will Jordan (51).
Reserves: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (40), 17. Tamaiti Williams (24), 18. Pasilio Tosi (13), 19. Sam Darry (6), 20. Du’Plessis Kirifi (6), 21. Cortez Ratima (19), 22. Billy Proctor (9), 23. Damian McKenzie (71).
Unavailable for selection: Scott Barrett (leg cut), Jordie Barrett (high ankle sprain).
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