Hurricanes Wider Training Squad member Alapati Leuia was called into the Hurricanes in the early rounds of the 2010 Rebel Sport Super 14, answering an injury crisis that saw Tamati Ellison and Conrad Smith both unable to travel with the team on their South African trip.
Consequently, Leuia made his full debut at centre against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, and then played off the bench the next week against the Stormers and on the wing the following week against the Bulls. The Hurricanes lost these three matches, making it a tough introduction to Super 14 rugby for the hugely talented Leuia.
Leuia had a phenomenal year in 2009, sweeping all before him in Wellington club rugby and becoming a first choice starter for the Vodafone Wellington Lions on the wing and at centre. It was in the centre position where he excelled in club rugby for Northern United, scoring a remarkable 21 tries in 16 games and lighting up the rugby fields of Wellington. He made his Wellington Lions debut in the first Ranfurly Shield defence of the year against Wairarapa Bush and his Air New Zealand Cup debut off the bench in round four against Auckland - going on to start in the last 10 matches of the year and scoring 5 tries for the Lions in 13 appearances.
Which new player will have the biggest impact on the All Blacks in 2010?
