There was a distinct lack of outrage when Christian Lio-Willie’s name was missing from Dave Rennie’s maiden All Blacks squad back in June.
The burgeoning crop of loose forwards at Rennie’s disposal had pushed the Aucklander to the outer, and after being overlooked for the subsequent tour to South Africa and the Bledisloe Cup series, it seemed there may be a danger Lio-Willie might slip beyond those fringes.
That was until the NPC rolled around, where Lio-Willie seized the opportunity to prove his value as one of the powerhouse forwards of the competition, standing out on a weekly basis for a resurgent Otago outfit.
In what was a heartening reassurance of the regard held for the NPC performance, those efforts were rewarded with a ticket to Europe for the Northern Tour, and furthermore, a spot on the bench for the opening match against Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday NZT.
While others may have doubted, Lio-Willie insists he never let go of the rope, taking aboard the advice offered by Rennie and showing he had plenty left to offer the black jersey.
"I always had that fire to get back into the team,'' Lio-Willie said after being announced in the squad on Friday.
"The brand of footy that they are playing, it was one that I always wanted to be a part of. To get to do that this week, so grateful. I just want to get out there and do my best.''
The 28-year-old hasn’t played a Test since he came off the pine against Wales at Cardiff during last year’s edition of the tour, after being call in as an injury replacement from the All Blacks XV, who were in the UK.
A marauder with ball in hand through the NPC, Lio-Willie believes his skillset is well suited to the expansive style the All Blacks have reverted to under the new coaching regime.
“The way they've been playing has been exciting footy, almost similar to how we were playing in Otago during my NPC season – attacking space, ball in hand, everything is about the basics, and it's
“We've had a good week so far, learning all of that. Obviously I’m coming in new to the environment, but the boys have been awesome and getting around me and what I need to just execute on (Sunday).
When asked how Lio-Willie had fit back into the squad, Rennie’s reassuring nod of the head said it all.
"His job has just been to get his head around everything we are doing. It has been a lot about getting him up to speed,” he said.
“Christian has had a great season and with Tupou [Vaa'i] starting at No. 6 we are keen to have a couple of loose forwards on the bench who we think can offer impact.
"But he has looked really good.''
The qualified dentist hopes he’ll be flashing his pearly whites with pride when the final whistle blows in Edinburgh.
“Just playing my game, being myself, the physicality and finishing,” Lio-Willie said when asked how he’ll try to impact the contest, "just express myself to the fullest, but do the job that the team needs.”
SHARE ME