From Tonga to the All Blacks: Saula Ma’u’s dream becomes reality

For Saula Ma’u, it took just two weeks to go from playing for Otago to pulling on the black jersey he had dreamed about his whole life.

The Highlanders prop made his All Blacks debut in Johannesburg, coming off the bench during New Zealand’s thrilling 41-35 win over the British & Irish Lions.

And after the final whistle, Ma’u struggled to hold back the emotion.

The 23-year-old was called into the All Blacks squad as an injury replacement for Ollie Norris, with his opportunity coming far sooner than he could have imagined.

“It was unreal. A couple of weeks ago I was back at home playing for Otago, and then two weeks later, I'm playing for the All Blacks,” Ma’u said.

For a young prop who had spent years chasing the dream of representing New Zealand, stepping onto the field in an All Blacks jersey was a moment he will never forget.

“It just feels amazing, unreal, because obviously that was always a goal of mine, one day to play for the All Blacks.”

Ma’u made an impact during his time on the field, helping the All Blacks regain stability at scrum time as they held off the Lions in a high-scoring contest.

The debut came after a rapid run of events for the Highlanders forward, who had been playing for Otago only two weeks earlier.

For Ma’u, the significance of the moment also went back to his childhood in Tonga.

He reflected on what his 10-year-old self would have made of seeing him in an All Blacks jersey.

“I think he'll be happy, just running around back in Tonga, I'm sure he'll be happy.”

And while several players exchanged jerseys with their Lions opponents after the match, Ma’u had no plans to part with his first All Blacks jersey.

After making his Test debut in Johannesburg, Ma’u will now be looking to build on his first appearance in the black jersey.