‘STROLLING UPSTAIRS IN MY JOCKS’ – ALL BLACKS ROOKIE PROVIDES VIVID IMAGE OF SCOTT ROBERTSON CHAT IN FUNNY INTERVIEW

Rookie Pasilio Tosi said his “heart was racing” after being called up to Scott Robertson’s squad as the prop provided a rather vivid image of All Blacks selection day.

The 25-year-old was named in the 32-man group for the first time and is one of five uncapped players chosen by the new national team head coach.

Tosi has enjoyed a fine season for the Hurricanes in Super Rugby Pacific but was considered a bolter having only established himself at the Wellington outfit recently.

The tighthead was predominately used off the bench early in the year but started four of their last six matches as the ‘Canes finished at the summit before being eliminated in the semi-finals.

The six props

He joins Ethan de Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Tamaiti Williams as the six props in the All Blacks squad.

Tosi revealed in a funny and heartwarming interview with Sky Sport NZ following the announcement that he was in his “jocks” and trying to sort out his children before Robertson called.

“When we got told on the pre-camp that we would be getting a call on Monday if you made it or not, I was just on edge all weekend,” he said. “I knew I shouldn’t have stressed about it that much but, as soon as I saw that number, I quickly answered it.

“Before that even happened, my kids had just woken me up in the morning and I was just strolling upstairs in my jocks.

“I was just on the couch, put a movie on for them, one was getting a bit rattled and throwing a tantrum, and then I answered the phone and it was Razor, and be said: ‘Hey mate, congratulations you’ve made the team.’

“It’s a feeling I can’t put into words but I’m excited to learn and hopefully during the season I’ll be able to pull on that jersey.”

All Blacks great makes bizarre claim around ‘ball playing’ Springboks props

The tighthead’s selection was a surprise to many but not necessarily Tosi himself, who was notified that he was not far away from the squad.

“There were just little whispers throughout the season, ‘just keep chipping away, you’re close, you’re almost there’, but I didn’t want to let it get to my head,” he added.

Switching positions

Tosi started his professional career at number eight but was moved into the front-row and has not looked back.

“Moving to prop was probably the best thing I could have done. The hardest thing about it was checking my ego, saying: ‘I could make it at eight’, but realistically no number eight is running around at 140kgs,” he joked.

“It was the best change for me. Once I got my ego in check and I was able to change to prop, and got better coaching… just getting all that knuckled down, I was able to focus on my game.”

Now that Tosi has proven his worth at the Hurricanes – enough to receive All Blacks recognition – the next task for the tighthead is to make his international debut.

That could come in the next month when New Zealand take on England in a two-Test series before they face Fiji in San Diego.

“My heart was racing when I was chilling out the back and they were announcing the squad. When I heard my name, that was when it felt real to me and that I could potentially put on that jersey this year,” Tosi said.

“I don’t want it to be given to me, I want to earn it, so hopefully throughout the season I can earn that jersey.”

READ MORE: All Blacks captaincy decided as Scott Robertson snubs record holder for son of Samoan legend

2024-06-25T06:06:32Z dg43tfdfdgfd