Toeava 'a breath of fresh air'

Isaia Toeava was stunned to hear his name in the run-on XV. Ross Land / Getty Images

Teenage All Black Isaia Toeava reckons his test debut at Murrayfield will be a doddle compared with what he's endured in the past 24 hours.

After just one full NPC match for Auckland, the shy Samoan-born fullback is still getting over the shock of being named in the 35-man squad - let alone the run-on side - to play Scotland on Sunday (NZT).

Expecting to warm the bench at best, he said it was a "huge surprise" when coach Graham Henry read out his name for the starting team.

It meant an hour of media interviews at the team's inner city hotel in Edinburgh, a task so imposing that veteran hooker Anton Oliver was appointed his minder.

He sat alongside throughout the session as British and New Zealand media quizzed the All Blacks' mystery man, ensuring things weren't too intense and that he had breathing space behind the lineup of tape recorders and cameras.

It seemed the youngster couldn't wait to run on to the relative sanctuary of the Murrayfield stadium on Sunday and show his wares.

"It does put the pressure on. Just having one NPC game, and up at this level I don't have any experience," he admitted.

"It's been great so far. The whole team gets along together and supports one another. The spirit is really up there."

All eyes will be on the boy from Moto'otua who was perhaps the biggest All Blacks selection shock of all time a month ago, becoming the first teenage All Black since Jonah Lomu debuted against France in 1994.

That same year, Toeava shifted with his family from Samoa to Auckland and quickly showed he was something special with the oval ball in hand.

He began playing league for Papatoetoe and switched to rugby only three years ago when following the lead of a mate, and walked into the De La Salle College first XV at first five-eighth.

His current team-mate Mose Tuiali'i summed his talent up this week when he likened him to a mix of All Blacks try-scoring recordholder Christian Cullen and Fiji sevens legend Waisale Serevi.

Told of the comparison, Toeava grinned before modesty took over and the eyes went to the floor.

"I don't know where he got that from.

"I just want to go out there and play my own game, run with the ball."

Fullback should give Toeava plenty of chance to run in open space, alongside classy wings Joe Rokocoko and Rico Gear.

Toeava admitted fullback was not his preferred position, having worn No 12 when starring for New Zealand under-19 at their world championship this year.

"I prefer second-five but Tana Umaga's there and he's the captain," he said.

Umaga only laid eyes on Toeava last year when national sevens coach Gordon Tietjens launched him into his squad.

The captain agreed with the lofty Cullen-Serevi comparison.

"That's pretty close from my assessment as well," Umaga said.

"He's a gifted player who gets the opportunity to show his wares.

"For such a young guy he really soaks everything up.

"He's a breath of fresh air for us because he is so raw and it's all new to him."

Umaga said the biggest message to Toeava was "be yourself" this week.

Henry admitted Toeava's utility value - he can play anywhere from 10 to 15 - was his biggest asset from a World Cup viewpoint.

While the All Blacks are expected to win easily on Sunday and Toeava should be delivered plenty of ball, Henry advised caution with the fresh-faced newcomer.

"People are very excited about him but it's a bit early to judge," Henry said.

"As selectors we feel he's got the potential.

"Whether he can handle this level of rugby we'll have to wait and see."

- NZPA