Rugby: The come-from-nowhere rise of new All Blacks prop Angus Ta'avao

Angus Ta'avao has been named on the bench for the All Blacks test against Argentina. Photo / Getty

Another All Black prop with a come-from-nowhere story. And this one is thanking Australian rugby for his fairytale rise.

Auckland born and bred Angus Ta'avao sprung from virtually nowhere to join the All Black squad when Joe Moody pulled out of the Rugby Championship campaign because of a thumb injury.

Ta'avao is set to make his test debut after being named on the bench to face Argentina on Sunday. He will become All Black number 1175 and the fifth new test cap this year.

Ta'avao went into the 2018 season without a Super Rugby deal. But like his cult-hero Chiefs front row mate Karl Tu'inukuafe, he's made every post a winner after the Hamilton-based franchise lost three test candidates to injury.

Auckland-raised tighthead Ta'avao, aged 28, re-joined Taranaki last year after a two-year break. The 120kg-plus prop has always been an exceptional prospect around the field, but scrummaging issues looked to have consigned him to a journeyman career.

That journey included two seasons with the Waratahs.

"The big question of me has always been my scrummaging and I feel I have stepped up this year," he told the Radio Sport Breakfast after being named in the All Blacks last month.

"The Chiefs had a solid scrum and worked well as a pack."

"I also picked up a couple of routines in Sydney to help strengthen my lower back - I've had issues going on in my earlier seasons."

He has also been inspired by his baby son Leo, who battled a severe genetic disorder since his birth early last year.

Leo's health situation was a major reason why Ta'avao and partner Kristyn Bradfield were keen to return to New Zealand, rather than search for another overseas contract.

Ta'avao only had a pre-season deal with the Chiefs, who are coached by his old Taranaki mentor Colin Cooper, until they lost Nepo Laulala, Atu Moli and Kane Hames.

"I've shed a few tears, it's been a pretty big couple of days," said Ta'avao about his test squad call-up.

"I was only supposed to be with the Chiefs until January. I never thought too much about the next level - I was just enjoying playing."

Whereas the Blues-bound loosehead Tu'inukuafe, an attacking scrummager, is firming as a World Cup prospect, Ta'avao faces a tougher task becoming a long-term test forward.

Owen Franks owns the starting tighthead position while Ta'avao's Chiefs team mates Laulala and the rising Moli are ahead of him in the pecking order, along with the injured Hurricanes frontrower Jeff Toomaga-Allen. The current squad also includes the utility prop Ofa Tuungafasi.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said after naming Ta'avao in his squad last month: "Angus had a big season for the Chiefs during Super Rugby, was part of a very good Chiefs pack and has made big strides on the technical aspects of his position."