New All Blacks lock Tupou Vaa’i has arrived ahead of schedule, but there are others keen to join him. Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images Young Taranaki and Chiefs lock Tupou Vaa'i is already 116kg, and has been backed to develop into an enforcer in two or three years. Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images NZ Rugby believes Canterbury lock Sam Darry, who has signed for the Blues, has a big future. Thrust into World Rugby under-20 championships against massive northern hemisphere and Junior Springboks packs, they have sometimes been exposed by their lack of size. Anthony said NZ Rugby already knew about Vaa’i and Grace years before they made themselves known to te wider public.

Source: Stuff September 15, 2020 16:52 UTC