Quinn Tupaea of the Chiefs. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2025 www.photosport.nz
It's been three years since Quinn Tupaea was last in the All Blacks and so now he's determined to make it count.
The Chiefs midfielder made his international debut in 2021 and played 14 tests before suffering a serious knee injury in a Bledisloe Cup match against the Wallabies in Melbourne in 2022.
He hasn't been sighted in an All Blacks jersey since.
However, he's been named in coach Scott Robertson's All Blacks squad to take on France in three tests in New Zealand next month.
Quinn Tupaea is back in the All Blacks. Photo: Jeremy Ward/Photosport
Tupaea said he found out he had earned a recall at the same time as the public.
"Just on TV, same as everyone else. Just sitting on the couch at home with my partner. There were a few tears," Tupaea said.
"It was a pretty special moment. I was unsure if I'd make it or not and to hear my name get called towards the end there was a bit of relief and a lot of excitement."
He admits there were a few nerves as he waited for his name to be read out.
"Yeah, there were a lot of Ts. I think there were five or six last names with Ts before myself, and then once I heard Tavatavanawai (Highlanders midfielder Timoci Tavatavanawai) and I knew there were four other midfielders already named, I thought there was a slim chance.
"Once they eventually got to Tupaea, it was a lot of relief."
Tupaea said as soon as he was injured he made it his goal get back in the All Blacks.
"That's why it feels so special to be back there now," Tupaea said.
"It's a place I've worked hard to get back to. I was more focused on performing well for the Chiefs and I guess that's how you get selected and picked.
"I knew performing well would give me a good chance to be here."
Obviously Tupaea hasn't played for the All Blacks since Scott Robertson took over as coach.
"It's going to be cool to experience the new coaches and squad. I'm excited to hopefully play some minutes and ultimately put the black jersey back on."
Quinn Tupaea. Photo: Jeremy Ward
He said he was given some ideas on what Robertson and co wanted to see from him earlier this year.
"I haven't spoken to anyone since being named, but throughout the season we had small chats with coaches and what they were trying to see in my game.
"I guess that's being physical on both sides of the ball and and having a high skill set.
"Here at the Chiefs, that was a big part of our game plan. That initial first carrier sets up everything after. It's part of the game I love. The contact area and carrying the ball."
Tupaea would also love to get some game time during the France series, with the third test against France in his home town of Hamilton.
"Getting on the field (in any test) would be the main goal and then to play in the Hamilton test would be awesome. To play in front of friends and family."
Tupaea was part of a bitterly disappointed Chiefs side who were beaten by the Crusaders in last weekend's Super Rugby final in Christchurch, with the visitors now having lost four title deciders in the last five years.
"It's been a crazy few days," Tupaea said.
"Losing a final was very tough for this group and myself and then the highs of the All Black team naming on Monday was (strange)."
