The Stormers wanted to know if Luatua was willing to come at them all night with ball in hand. He was. They wanted to see if he could ride the initial hit and use his leg drive to get over the gainline. He could.
They wanted to see if he was prepared to keep tackling, to keep picking himself off the ground and lunging at the ever advancing phalanx of white jerseys. He did.
Above all else, they wanted to see if he had the heart for the grit of the contest, the mental and physical capacity to be hurt and to hurt others. Rugby can't always be bonus points and dazzling off-loads.
Sometimes it just comes down to who can smash for the longest and who can be the hardest. By the second half, the Stormers were edgy - looking to intimidate and scuffle. If they had sensed the Blues were backing off, they would have upped the ante. No chance - the Blues were willing to stand their ground - and it was Luatua who was first in their faces, first to let it be known that fists would be met with fists.
Such an inquiry of Luatua was overdue. Before last night it was his work rate and range that appealed. No question he has the engine and awareness to play at the next level.
What came last night was the first irrefutable proof that he may, too, have the steel rod running down his spine and that he can tailor his game to meet requirements - he can do fast and furious and he can also do slow and thunderous.
The All Blacks are always in the market for a genuine enforcer - and they will be starting to see Luatua as just that.
