Samisoni Taukei’aho has vowed that the All Blacks will not be shoved around by the Springboks at scrum time again when the fierce rivals clash in Wellington on Saturday.

The set piece has been under intense scrutiny this week after the world champions obliterated the New Zealand scrum in the 62nd minute at Eden Park, with Ox Nché, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw combining to power the Boks forward and set up Marx’s try.

“It’s never going to happen again. Being an All Blacks forward, that’s not our standard,” Taukei’aho declared. “We’ve done our homework, we’ve done our review and we’ll be better.

“It’s going to be a big challenge, it always is with any Test match but we’re ready to go out there and put pressure on them and use it to our advantage.”

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The 28-year-old hooker has been thrust into the starting role this week after regular No 2 Codie Taylor was ruled out with concussion.

Saturday’s Test at the Cake Tin will be a symbolic one for Taukei’aho, who ruptured his achilles at the venue in last year’s Super Rugby Pacific semi-final and missed the rest of the 2024 season – including the All Blacks’ World Cup campaign.

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“Obvious injuries are a part of rugby and it was unfortunate for me that it happened here in Wellington,” he said.

“We’ve touched on it with [forwards coach] Jase [Ryan]. He’s helped me a lot since coming back but we address it as coming forward and being a better version than before I got injured.

“I feel like my body is in a good spot. I’m confident in my achilles and I’m raring to go. I can’t wait to be out there.”

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Taukei’aho has played every All Blacks Test this season since returning during Super Rugby and impressed off the bench when called on early at Eden Park after Taylor failed a HIA, helping the All Blacks secure a 24-17 win.

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson backed him to step up again this weekend.

“Samisoni has been an All Black for a long period of time and he will tweak his game to make some adjustments where he can get a little bit better for this weekend. He’s played the majority of the games for us this year and he’s good to go.”

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