Since the advent of professional rugby, New Zealand has produced a string of exceptional number eights; rangy ball-runners, ferocious tacklers, intelligent line-runners and impressive leaders. The mantle was passed from Zinzan Brooke to Taine Randell, then Rodney So’oialo and onto Kieran Read and Ardie Savea. Now, comparisons are being made between Savea and the latest prospect to roll off New Zealand’s seemingly limitless production line. Peter Lakai has arrived.
The teenaged loose forward made an immediate impact in his debut season with Wellington, standing out in the Lions side that brought the Ranfurly Shield and NPC title to the capital. At the New Zealand Rugby awards, he was named Age Grade Player of the Year and was a finalist in the Duane Monkley Medal for best NPC player, despite the fact he won’t turn 20 until the new Super Rugby season
