Wellington Lion’s Peter Lakai celebrates Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The All Blacks decision to take former skipper Sam Cane on the end of year tour is paying off for rookie Peter Lakai.
Hurricanes and Wellington openside Lakai was called up to the All Blacks squad after injuries to a trio of loose forwards and the uncapped flanker could make his debut this weekend against Japan in Tokyo in the first match of the All Blacks five game end of year tour to the Northern Hemisphere.
The 21-year-old was about to head to Wellington training ahead of last week's NPC semi-final win over Waikato when he got the good news.
Peter Lakai of the Hurricanes during the Super Rugby Pacific - Hurricanes v Chiefs at Sky Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand on Saturday 13 April 2024 Copyright photo: Masanori Udagawa / www.photosport.nz Photo: Masanori Udagawa
"Ray (All Blacks coach Scott Robertson) called me last Monday. I was getting ready to head in to Lions training and he gave me the call and everything went from there," Lakai said.
While gutted to be missing out on Wellington's home final against Bay of Plenty, Lakai is keen to make the most of being with the All Blacks and sharing a room with former skipper and test centurion Cane.
"I'm looking forward to the opportunity. Learning off a few older guys such as Sam, taking in some of his experience and taking my game to the next level.
"I hover around guys in my position such as Ardie and Sam Cane. Sam Cane is my roomy so I get around him. Anything I'm unsure of he helps me out," Lakai said.
Sam Cane reached 100 caps for the All Blacks earlier this year. Photo: Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz
"Sammy's pretty good. He helps me get over my detail and all that stuff, but when we're in our room there's not too much footy talk. We like to relax a bit."
Ardie Savea, Lakai's former Hurricanes teammate, has also been a willing tutor.
"Ardie has been massive. He's a great leader, especially for his actions. Anything he does, it's quite easy to follow a guy like him. He's quite influential."
Lakai is trying to ensure he learns as much as possible, while still staying ready to play should be be called on to make his debut this weekend.
"I just try get over my detail. Try not to be too spoon fed. Get over my role and be courageous in my prep and if the opportunity comes (to play), it comes."
The All Blacks team to take on Japan is named at 4pm today (NZT) and it is expected there will be several changes to the team that finished the Rugby Championship with a win over the Wallabies in Wellington.
The All Blacks play Japan on Saturday in Tokyo at 6:50pm (NZT).