Loose forward Victor Vito is hoping to use Saturday's Test against Argentina as an opportunity to stake a claim on the All Blacks blindside berth.
Since the departure of Jerome Kaino, Vito, Adam Thomson and Liam Messam have been competing for the black number six jumper and with the Pumas loose trio in blistering form, Vito is eager to show what he is capable of.
"I try to stay quite level-headed really, and if anything it's about being a cold-blooded hunter rather than a hot-headed one who's probably going to do the wrong move but might get a good hit on someone," the Hurricanes loose forward told Fairfax NZ News.
"Liam's set a really good bar with the physicality, along with all the other loosies as well. I really don't want to be the one who's left behind there. If anything, I want to take the yardstick out a bit further."
Comments
heart_of_oak says...
passtheball/centre12 - so Messam has been treated badly but why ? Can't believe it's just down to coaches not liking him. However, in England we had a similar thing with Simon Shaw. A great lock and easily our best - and I personally include Martin Johnson in the list - but Clive Woodward just wouldn't pick him and favoured Ben Kay over him.
So maybe you're right after all and some guys' faces just don't fit ??
Posted 08:55 14th September 2012
ruckingkiwi says...
He he had a couple good runs in the Wellington final against Samoa a few years ago and the press pumped him up as the next Jonah. He'll never be a winger and it shows the Herald rugby writers knowledge making this suggestion. Gregor Paul, Chris Rattue etc need to find a new occupation.
Posted 21:16 13th September 2012
Ferdie says...
ruckingkiwi - i make no secret of it, 90% bias for taranaki but more recently lived in tararuas/pahiatua.
back to vito - read an article today suggesting he'd be better on the wing - where he played in NZ Sevens (didn't know that), and that when he started with Wgtn lions it was considered but they wanted a loose forward. one from left-field as they say.
Posted 12:39 12th September 2012
ruckingkiwi says...
Ferdie , are you a Naki man? I'm not sure Hoeata is up to the job, very average Super season for a guy on the fringes.
Posted 23:36 08th September 2012
KiwiLad says...
What an unusual headline, Vito cold blooded???
At times Victor looks like a possum in the car headlights, confused and unsure what to do.
But far from a cold blooded hunter, Jerome Kaino could well have deserved the title...
Posted 05:22 08th September 2012
runnrugby says...
Messam and Vito have the physicality needed to be a blindside at international level. They are more direct when driving and carrying the ball forward. Thompson although a good super rugby player has been found out at international level for not being physical enough. He often looks to step around tacklers and runs too upright. Sometimes he needs to just put his down and try to bust his way through the tackler.
Posted 23:48 07th September 2012
passtheball says...
Centre12 - Messam has been poorly treated, criticized in public and mostly wasted by the past AB coaches and that includes Hansen of course. He is the most all round talented loose forward in rugby with back-like skills and speed and as tough as teak. While Read, Mc Caw, Vito and Thompson have been injured and re-injured Liam Messam has been injury free forever. Like Zinzan Brooke, some guys have just got it but some faces don't fit.
Ferdie - Hoata is a draft horse compared to Messam (Thompson too) and cannot control his temper. Very solid player though, like many from the Naki. There are better players to promote from there I think. Good shield defense today.
Posted 13:31 07th September 2012
Ferdie says...
good competition for the 6 spot - and one more who may be end of year tour material is 2011 AB Jarrad Hoeta, played 3 tests at lock but now playing at 6 in ITM Cup, 1.98 and 112kg he's an ideal lock/loose forward cover
Posted 11:59 07th September 2012
Centre12 says...
Huge fan of Messam its a shame that he hasn't got more AB caps to his name
Posted 10:23 07th September 2012