Blues centre George Moala has added leadership skills to his repertoire of pace, strength and hard running, according to teammate Jerome Kaino.
The 25-year-old Moala has joined Kaino in the All Blacks’ Rugby Championship squad after scoring on his debut against Samoa in July 2015.
He was also called into the New Zealand set-up as injury cover in their June series against Wales, starring in the third Test in Dunedin.
Blues skipper and All Black veteran Kaino, 33, said Moala had developed into an all-round talent.
He is expected to play a part in the All Blacks’ Rugby Championship campaign following the Achilles tendon injury to Sonny Bill Williams.
“What he could do on the field was always obvious, and his physical attributes, but it’s more that he’s embraced being a leader,” Kaino said.
“Especially in the Blues environment, I think he’s really relishing the opportunity to go out there with younger backs, and leading them.”
Moala played all but two 2016 Super Rugby games for the Blues as the Auckland-based side finished 11th and missed the finals.
Lara
Guest
Still raw , but if he is stepping up as a team leader, that will give him confidence and hopefully he will develop into a complete player. The signs are there .
mania
Guest
agree MWO. moala is the closest thing we have to a nonu in NZ at the mo. strength, fend step and puts in big in your face hits. just needs to add kicking and passing to his repertoire and he's gonna be awesome. moala + either ngatai or crotty and our midfield is set
McCaw was onside?
Guest
Great potential to be realised.