Tongan-born Highlanders prop Saula Ma’u has moved closer to a possible All Blacks debut after being called into the New Zealand squad touring South Africa.
Ma’u has been summoned to replace injured Chiefs prop Ollie Norris, who is returning to New Zealand after suffering a knee injury.
The 140kg front-rower joins the All Blacks as they prepare to face the Springboks in the opening Test of their four-match “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry” series at Ellis Park in Johannesburg this weekend.
Although Ma’u is considered unlikely to feature in the Test series immediately, he could be selected for the midweek match against the Lions at Ellis Park next Wednesday, August 26 NZT.
Born in Tonga, Ma’u attended Auckland Grammar School before former Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger invited him to Dunedin to train with the Super Rugby franchise.
He made his provincial debut for Otago in 2019 and was selected in a 52-player New Zealand Under-20 training squad at the beginning of 2020, despite not becoming eligible for the age-group side until the following year.
German-born loose forward Anton Segner, who made his All Blacks debut against Italy earlier this year, was also included in that development group.
At the time, New Zealand Under-20 head coach Craig Philpott identified Ma’u and Segner as important future prospects for New Zealand Rugby.
“Saula and Anton are a big part of New Zealand Rugby moving forward, so it’s important they have access to these development opportunities,” Philpott said.
The training camp was later cancelled following the outbreak of Covid-19, but Ma’u remained in the Highlanders’ high-performance programme.
Despite missing much of the 2021 season with a knee injury, he secured his first Super Rugby contract with the Highlanders in 2022.
Initially used mainly as an impact player from the bench, Ma’u gradually established himself in the Highlanders’ front row. His performances earned him selection for the All Blacks XV in 2024.
A shoulder injury kept him out of the opening eight rounds of this year’s Super Rugby competition. However, when available, he has become a regular starter, beginning 20 of his past 24 matches for the Highlanders.
The imposing 1.93-metre prop has now made 58 appearances for the Highlanders and 40 for Otago. He played in all three of Otago’s matches during the current NPC season before receiving his All Blacks call-up.
Ma’u is the latest replacement summoned during an injury-hit tour. Billy Proctor and Caleb Clarke have returned home with shoulder injuries, George Bell has been ruled out with a calf problem and Norris has sustained a knee injury.
Richie Mo’unga and Bradley Slater have also joined the squad as replacements, while halfback Noah Hotham has been called in as Cortez Ratima manages a knee injury. No direct replacement has been named for Clarke.
Damian McKenzie is also in doubt for the opening Test because of an ankle injury.
The All Blacks began their traditional-style tour with matches against the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls. After the opening Test against South Africa, they will face the Lions before playing three more Tests against the Springboks in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Baltimore in the United States.
The official tour comprises eight matches and is New Zealand’s first full-scale tour of South Africa in 30 years. The opening Test will be played at Ellis Park on Saturday, August 22 local time—3am Sunday in New Zealand. All Blacks official tour schedule
