Bench player in league of his own

New All Black Isaia Toeava faces the media after his selection to join the team to tour Britain and Ireland. Picture / Glenn Jeffrey

A few short years ago, new All Black Isaia Toeava was tossing up between rugby and rugby league.

The talented backline utility had played rugby since he was 10, but had tried his hand at league and was a handy standoff for the Papatoetoe Panthers league club.

A friend, who had changed codes, persuaded Toeava to change back to rugby in 2002 and play first five-eighths for De La Salle College in Auckland.

"He had made the New Zealand 17s and I thought I would try it out and it turned out good for me," Toeava said yesterday as he became the 57th All Black in Graham Henry's reign.

Toeava's De La Salle coach, Nigel Hurst, said it was always just a matter of time of before Toeava stepped up to an All Black jersey.

"We knew he was good enough but we didn't think it would happen so soon, but he's an exceptional talent.

"He once kicked a goal into the breeze from the sidelines against Kings [College] in 2002 that people still talk about. He was a champion when he got to De La Salle and he was a champion when he left. And he's only got better."

Mr Hurst described the 19-year-old utility as determined, but humble - not the type of player to celebrate tries with obnoxious gestures.

That view was shared by John Stowers, who coached Toeava when he first played representative rugby as an 11-year-old.

"The rugby team looked to him as a role model. He's quiet and humble ... every word he says is always with a smile."

His former coaches paid tribute to the Toeava family, and in particular Toeava's grandmother Fololina, who has looked after him since he came to New Zealand 12 years ago while his parents stayed in Samoa.

Fololina Toeava, who attends all her grandson's games, last night said she was "very happy" for him.

Toeava has been a peripheral member of the champion Auckland side this season with only one start against Northland.

However, the national selectors have been impressed by his versatile skills and believe he could be part of the 2007 World Cup squad.

He could not make the reserves bench for the NPC final against Otago but yesterday was promoted to the All Blacks for their attempt at emulating the 1978 Grand-Slam winning side.

Not long after that final, Toeava was told of his national elevation and Auckland's triumph acted as a useful smokescreen for the teenager's secret.

He did not even ring his family to tell them the news and after interviews yesterday was keen to get back to Auckland's NPC celebrations.

Toeava starred for New Zealand in the midfield at the under-19 World Cup this year in South Africa and he has been nominated for the IRB awards to be announced in Paris next month.

His last game of rugby was a fortnight ago at fullback in the curtainraiser to Auckland's failed Ranfurly Shield challenge.

He said his preferred position was second five-eighths, followed by fullback, and his goal on tour would be to learn from those like captain Tana Umaga.

"We think Isaia's got all the qualities to be a top international and this gives us 4 1/2 weeks to work with him," coach Henry said.