Chiefs No.8 Wallace Sititi has certainly caught the eye - and perhaps that of new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson - after inspiring his team to a Super Rugby Pacific upset over the tabletopping Hurricanes and a place in next week's final against the Blues.
The young loose forward was a standout performer for the Hamilton-based side at Wellington, playing a major hand in two of their three tries, including the matchwinner, when he ran an interception the length of the field, before winger Daniel Rona made the contest safe.
His performance has many now tipping him as a bolster for Robertson's first national squad to be named next weekend, but Newshub's Ollie Ritchie isn't so sure.
"A few weeks ago, people would have said who is Wallace Sititi, but such is his form, he has burst into the All Blacks conversation," said Ritchie. "I think it may still be a little too soon.
"I think Scott Robertson and [forwards coach] Jason Ryan will want to see a little bit more from Sititi... maybe go away and play NPC, then come back as an option for the end-of-year tour.
"Certainly, his performance will have the All Blacks coaches taking notice of him. He has been a big performer for the Chiefs, where he has pushed captain Luke Jacobson to openside flanker, because Clayton McMillan just has to have him on the park.
"They'll want him at his best again for the final. Whether that results in a black jersey, I think it might be too soon, but it certainly feels like a matter of when, not if, for Wallace Sititi."
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