Rugby Championship: Breakthrough star Samisoni Taukei'aho credits All Blacks teammates for red-hot form

With a few question marks still surrounding the All Blacks, Samisoni Taukei'aho has certainly proven to be the answer at hooker.

Taukei'aho was instrumental in New Zealand's demolition of Argentina and has hardly put a foot wrong since being entrusted with the No.2 jersey this season.

The bulldozing hooker went a perfect eight from eight with his lineout throws and carried for more than any other forward, with a game-high 16 runs in the 53-3 pasting at Hamilton.

Under the guidance of All Blacks forwards coach Jason Ryan, Taukei'aho has become an integral part of a resurgent front row.

Samisoni Taukei'aho in action against Argentina
Samisoni Taukei'aho in action against Argentina. Photo credit: Photosport

Far and away the least experienced hooker in the squad, he has quickly established himself as coach Ian Foster's first choice, but Taukei'aho credits his veteran teammates in the position for all the work behind the scenes towards his success.

"The All Blacks is a special environment to be a part of," he said. "You go in there and you're going to develop, it doesn't matter how many caps you have.

"You've got players like Dane Coles, Codie [Taylor] that have played a lot of test matches, who take you under their wing and show you how to prepare your week, and go out there and put your best foot forward.

"Easy job for me just following their lead, and they prepare me really well to go out there and perform.

"It doesn't matter what job you got, whether you're playing or on the bench or starting, we all work together, once we find out who is playing.

"We all prep each other to go out there and put our best foot forward, so if you're not playing, you've still got a job to prepare the other two to go out there, and put their best foot forward and have a good performance."

Coupled with Ryan's appointment, Taukei'aho has contributed to a much-improved All Blacks lineout and driving maul.

Rather than bask in his own success, Taukei'aho plays down his impact and instead praises his jumpers.

"I won't take credit for that, because Sam Whitelock, Brodie Rettalick, all those locks... Scott Barrett, they've come up with plans on how we can attack space and win our ball easily," he said.

"My job is just to stand there and throw it in, I won't take any credit for that. Whatever they call, you throw it, that's just how I function.

"I think my type of game is pretty simple - be physical, rely on physicality and just run hard."

Join us on September 15 for live updates of the All Blacks v Australia Bledisloe Cup clash