All Blacks
Angus Ta'avao

PLAYER PROFILE

Angus Ta'avao

Prop

KEY STATS
UPDATED
AGE
32
WEIGHT
124KG
HEIGHT
194CM
GAMES
23
POINTS
15
TRIES
3
CONV
0
PEN
0
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BIOGRAPHY

Well traveled prop Angus Ta'avao is living proof that hard work and patience can pay dividends.

Born and bred in Auckland, Ta'avao first came to prominence when he played for New Zealand Under 20 in Argentina in 2010 and made his debut for the provincial side in the same year.

He signed for the Blues for the 2012 Investec Super Rugby season playing for the side through to the 2015 season before looking to further his opportunities in Australia. He played for the Waratahs for two seasons before heading back home to play for Taranaki in the domestic competition, but without a Super Rugby contract in 2018.

A timely call from Chiefs coach Colin Cooper saw him play in every game during their Super Rugby campaign alongside All Blacks teammate Karl Tu’inukuafe before being called into the All Blacks after an injury to prop Joe Moody.

He made his Test debut off the bench against Argentina in Buenos Aires, where he played a key role in the dominating forward pack, earning a starting spot in his second Test match against Japan in Tokyo.

Ta'avao made 11 appearances for the All Blacks in 2019 but missed selection in 2020 before being recalled for the Steinlager Series in 2021.

Angus Ta'avao news

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All Blacks bring up a century in Washington DC
Making the most of their starting opportunities the All Blacks' less experienced players took them with both hands in a 104–14 record win over the United States Eagles in Washington on Sunday (NZT).
Chiefs prop Angus Ta'avao proud of how far his side have come
Chiefs hunger and drive since shedding the losing streak at the start of the Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa competition will be a factor in Saturday's final against the Crusaders in Christchurch.
All Blacks Podcast with Angus Ta'avao
Multi-talented prop Angus Ta'avao joins the All Blacks Podcast to talk through his unique journey into the All Blacks.

The week that was … Investec Super Rugby
It was certainly a very different Easter break for Kiwis, having to stay indoors as we approach three weeks of lockdown. We check in and see what our Super Rugby players have been up to over the last seven days.
Where are they now | New Zealand 2010 Under 20 World Champions
The third iteration of the World Rugby Under 20 Championships was staged in Argentina in June of 2010. In Pool A alongside Wales, Fiji and Samoa, the New Zealand side made easy work progressing to play-offs, with three impressive wins. The reliable boot of Tyler Bleyendaal saw the side progress past South Africa in the semi-finals before a dominant 62-17 win over Australia in the Final.

Chiefs face historic challenge
Not having beaten the Waratahs in Australia since 2007 in Investec Super Rugby, the Chiefs have plenty to play for in Woollongong on Friday.
Scrum challenge will be lively in Hamilton
Both the Chiefs and Crusaders place a heavy emphasis on their scrummaging and that department shapes as a key area for both sides when they play their Investec Super Rugby game in Hamilton on Saturday.

 
Gatland looks to balance success and opportunity
Getting players in the All Blacks while also developing depth within the Chiefs squad was the motivation coach Warren Gatland had with his Chiefs side who face the Crusaders in their Investec Super Rugby game in Hamilton on Saturday.

 
Rugby stars tackle tough topics in new video series
Raw, unscripted and authentic – Being Men, New Zealand Rugby’s (NZR) new online video series that seeks to challenge gender stereotypes and encourage blokes to open up, was launched today in Wellington.
All Blacks team named for Bronze medal match
The All Blacks team has been named to play Wales in the Rugby World Cup 2019 Bronze Final at Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo, on Friday 1 November (Kick-off: 6.00PM, 10.00PM NZT).
Japanese ponder 'national showstopper'
Buoyed by the success of the host team Japan, local fans are already anticipating a quarterfinal playoff with the All Blacks although the New Zealanders are refusing to be drawn into looking that far ahead.
All Blacks front row ready for Canada challenge
New Zealand will field their most inexperienced front row in recent history when taking on Canada in Wednesday's Rugby World Cup pool game in Oita.
Moody ready to build on 2015 Cup experience
All Blacks loosehead prop Joe Moody has assumed the senior propping role in the Rugby World Cup campaign.

 
Last-minute try leads to inconclusive draw
All the talk about the winning side gaining momentum heading into the Rugby World Cup came to nothing when the All Blacks and South Africa fought out a 16-16 draw in their Investec Rugby Championship Test in Wellington on Saturday.
All Blacks defence holds Argentina out
Dogged, determined defence, much of it in the hands of new All Blacks substituted in the final quarter, held out Argentina for a 20-16 win in their Investec Rugby Championship Test in Buenos Aires on Sunday (NZT).
Ta'avao relishing his chance with All Blacks
Enjoying being part of the initial All Blacks squad for 2019 has made prop Angus Ta'avao feel more a part of the side as they prepare for the Investec Rugby Championship opener against Argentina in Buenos Aires on Sunday (NZT).
Proud Chiefs have to concede to Jaguares
Game as the Chiefs' end-of-season recovery had been, it wasn't enough to deny a superb home effort by the Jaguares to advance to the Investec Super Rugby semifinals on the back of a 21-16 win in Buenos Aires on Saturday (NZT).
Five pre-World Cup Tests crucial for players
Mobility of New Zealand's props, a feature of their game in recent seasons, had declined and All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is keen for some remedial work to be undertaken to ensure they were back to their best for the upcoming Rugby World Cup.
Chiefs need to treasure the ball - Barnes
Both the Chiefs and the Hurricanes have plenty riding on their Investec Super Rugby game in Wellington on Saturday.
Chiefs maintain their dominance over the Blues
Unable to break the Investec Super Rugby stranglehold the Chiefs hold over them, the Blues fought all the way but it was the home team who claimed a 33-29 win at FMG Stadium in Hamilton on Saturday.

Angus Ta'avao Videos

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A Series of Firsts: Anthem and Haka
Before any Test match comes two very special rituals - the anthem and haka…
Angus Ta'avao on 100 NZ Super Rugby games
Chiefs and All Blacks prop Angus Ta'avao reflects on his Super Rugby career…
HIGHLIGHTS | All Blacks v USA Eagles (1874 Cup)
Catch up on all the try-scoring action from a record-breaking day in the USA…
All Blacks get kitted out
Christmas has once again come early for the All Blacks as they receive all of…
Being Men: It's time to talk
Being Men is an online series featuring former and current All Blacks at their…
Update with Angus Ta'avao
All Blacks prop Angus Ta'avao provides an update on the team as they build for…
Angus Ta'avao funny moment
What do you do when someone else's phone starts ringing in a press conference…
PLAYER REACTION: All Blacks v South Africa (Yokohama)
Get the lowdown from the players following the opening RWC2019 victory over…