New Zealand born Marla Kavanaugh’s performance at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego. Audio / Newstalk ZB
By Bonnie Jansen in San Diego
Noah Hotham might become a household name sooner than anticipated.
The 21-year-old halfback made his All Blacks debut on Saturday in San Diego against Fiji, quickly showcasing why he deserves to remain on coach Scott Robertson’s radar.
In abehind-the-scenes video, defence coach Scott Hansen, who also takes charge of the All Blacks’ halfbacks and first five-eighths, was filmed asserting the All Blacks “could have some of the best nines in the world over the coming World Cup cycle”.
That statement, in reference to Cam Roigard, Finlay Christie, Cortez Ratima and TJ Perenara, was made before Hotham had even been called up, after the latter suffered a knee injury in the season-opening win over England.
Hotham, the greenest of the six newbies on Saturday, enjoyed an extended 45-minute debut when he was subbed on in the first half after Ratima left the field for a head injury assessment.
“It was a big surprise,” Hotham told the Herald after the match.
“I thought maybe I’d get 10-15 minutes, but then when, unfortunately, [Ratima] went down I just got up, eyes go up and be like, wow, it’s time.”
“He was so composed when he came off the bench in San Diego,” wrote Paul. “So assured and unflappable as well as quite brilliant in his ability to wriggle out of tackles and stun the close-quarter defence that it feels like it may be remiss of the selectors to send him packing once everyone is fit again.”
The Crusaders No 9 was initially left out of Robertson’s first squad, until Perenara’s injury. But as a player Robertson oversaw as a Super Rugby Pacific rookie in 2023, Hotham’s potential is something All Blacks selectors are more than aware of.
Halfbacks Noah Hotham and Finlay Christie at training. Photo / Photosport
“I’m very grateful to be here... I’ve just taken my opportunities with two hands and hopefully put my best foot forward.
“Whether it’s the Argentina series or, whatever series, I think I’m ready.”
Robertson said after the game he completely trusts Hotham for the job.
“He backs himself. That’s a great thing about Noah and he’s an instinctive rugby player and he did that tonight.”
Hotham found comfort in playing alongside and against fellow former Hamilton Boys’ High School teammates and alumni: Ratima, Sevu Reece, Emoni Narawa and Fijian Caleb Muntz.
“All these boys helped me so it was a little bit more familiar,” he said. “It’s funny and you kind of pinch yourself that we’re all in San Diego.”
That was all while being slightly starstruck by the opportunity. Hotham told the Herald during the camp there were a few pinch-yourself moments eating breakfast, being in team meetings and playing alongside players like Ardie Savea and Damian McKenzie, whom he grew up idolising.
He also said performing his first All Blacks haka was a surreal moment.
“I guess you sit down with your family when you’re younger, watching the boys do the haka and then to actually be there doing it with boys beside you that you watched when you were younger.”
After unlocking that core memory, he’s looking forward to celebrating with his family upon his return home.
“My family will be stoked. They’re probably all at the pub with a few Waikato Draughts.”
In the meantime, Hotham plans to enjoy celebrations with his teammates in the United States - where thankfully he’s just over the legal drinking age.
Bonnie Jansen is a multimedia journalist in the NZME sports team. She’s a football commentator and co-host of the Football Fever podcast and was part of the Te Rito cadetship scheme before becoming a fulltime journalist.
