Peter Lakai reveals ‘mixed feelings’ ahead of All Blacks debut – Planet Rugby

New All Blacks back-row Peter Lakai is keen to make the most of his promotion to head coach Scott Robertson’s squad for their next clash with Japan in Yokohama on Saturday.

Robertson has added Hurricanes star and Chiefs second-row Josh Lord to his matchday squad for the clash with the Brave Blossoms as injury replacements for Ethan Blackadder (son-in-law), Luke Jacobson ( thumb) and Dalton Papali’i (hamstring).

The duo were initially included in the All Blacks XV squad for next month’s matches against Munster and Georgia, which meant Lakai was also preparing for Saturday’s National Provincial Championship (NPC) final in New Zealand between the Wellington Lions and Bay of Plenty.

Change of plans after Robertson’s call

However, the 21-year-old’s world changed when he answered a phone call from Robertson earlier this week.

“Ray (Robertson) called me last Monday,” Lakai said. “I was getting ready for Lions training and he called me.

“Everything went from there. I’m here now.

“I’m just waiting for the opportunity, learning from some older guys like Sam (Cane) and taking some of their experience and taking my game to the next level.”

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Lakai’s selection for the New Zealand senior team is a fitting reward as he was in fine form for the Hurricanes in the Super Rugby Pacific, earning him a call-up to an All Blacks training camp in early season

“Peter has climbed straight in,” said Robertson.

“We had him a week earlier in the year, a very humble kid. A good athlete, as we know, he came right in.”

Although he is happy to be on the verge of making his Trials debut, Lakai admitted he had mixed emotions about missing out on the NPC final.

“Excited for the opportunity to be here”

“Obviously I can’t finish the season with the boys, but obviously excited for the opportunity to be here, around some of the best football players out there,” he said.

“Mixed feelings, but happy. Happy.”

Lakai said he is trying to make the most of his time in the All Blacks environment.

“I’m just trying to get through my details, I’m trying not to be spoon-fed … Be brave in my preparation, and I guess if the opportunity comes,” he added.

“I’ve been around guys at my position, like Ardie (Savea) and Sammy Cane. Sammy Cane is my roommate, so I hang around him. Anything I’m not sure about, he helps me.”

READ MORE: All Blacks: Highly-rated 21-year-old called up as Scott Robertson makes injury-forced changes to squad to face Japan