Despite not playing a single minute in 2026 pre-season, All Blacks and Chiefs midfielder Quinn Tupaea has started the Super Rugby Pacific campaign with a bang, providing two strong performances in both Kiwi derbies so far.
Tupaea played 73 minutes against the Blues in round one at Eden Park, contributing with two important turnovers and a number of big defensive plays, before popping up to assist Leroy Carter’s 100m try against the Highlanders in round two.
The 26-year-old impressed former All Black World Cup-winning first-five Stephen Donald, especially with his part in the competition’s first 100m try of the season.
“There’s no bias involved here, but it was the intelligence, the bravery of Quinn Tupaea, taking a quick goal line dropout, regathering it, holding the ball in one hand, faking a pass and then finding Leroy Carter and correct me if I’m wrong, Jeff, but our first 100m try of the year,” Donald said on his podcast, The Aftermatch with Kirst & Beav.
The All Blacks midfielder ended the 2025 end-of-year tour in fine form, while vice-captain Jordie Barrett was at home nursing an injury that he picked up against Ireland in Chicago.
Tupaea has made 24-Test appearances for the All Blacks over a number of seasons, and will be looking to finally get over the hurdle in Super Rugby Pacific with his Chiefs side under new head coach Jono Gibbes.
Donald explained that one of the key matchups from the game at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin was between two All Black midfielders, Timoci Tavatavanawai and Tupaea.
“I wrote down a couple of times live, the collisions that were happening when Tavatavanawai or Tupaea were carrying and often they went after each other, which is great like it’s it’s a competitive world, and they’re both wanting the same thing.
“And some of those carries were just huge, and you can actually hear the collision and the grandstand. Quinn’s got this ability where he’s never really hit.
“It’s the leg drive and we’ve talked about the size of some of the boys and where the strength comes from. Well, you look at Quinn and it’s all through the hips, and he can just ride out tackles, obviously, like Tavatavanawai.
“It’s a good problem to have for New Zealand Rugby. Unfortunately, you can’t get them all on the field at once, but getting the balance right of that All Black midfield is going to be fascinating to see. Tupaea is just picking up where he left off last year for the All Blacks.”