Stephen Donald has praised the impact Highlanders flyer Caleb Tangitau has made in Super Rugby Pacific and believes he could earn an All Blacks call-up.<\/p>\n
Tangitau has shone for the Highlanders so far this season and has hit the ground running in Super Rugby as he crossed for a try in his side\u2019s 25-23 triumph over the defending champions in Christchurch before repeating that feat in a 26-23 loss against the Chiefs in Dunedin at the weekend.<\/p>\n
In fine form for the Highlanders<\/p>\n
The 22-year-old has been in fine form under the guidance of Jamie Joseph at the Highlanders<\/a>, since joining them last season, and has already scored eight tries for the Dunedin-based franchise in nine appearances.<\/p>\n Tangitau<\/a> is a big unit, who weighs 98 kilograms and is 1,88 metres tall, and joined the Highlanders from the Blues, where he was behind the likes of All Blacks<\/a> wingers Caleb Clarke and Mark Telea in the pecking order.<\/p>\n A former New Zealand U20s and sevens representative, he has made full use of his opportunity since joining the Highlanders, and he left his stamp on the match against the Chiefs on Saturday when he made a superb 40-metre line break before crossing for his try in the game\u2019s closing stages.<\/p>\n With Scott Robertson sacked as the All Blacks\u2019 head coach, and although Joseph has emerged as one of the favourites to replace him \u2013 along with Kobelco Kobe Steelers boss Dave Rennie \u2013 Donald<\/a> feels Tangitau could earn a Test call-up regardless of who takes over the reins at New Zealand\u2019s national team.<\/p>\n \u201cI think certainly if he was on the radar of whoever our next All Black coach is gonna be, I think he\u2019s properly in consideration now,\u201d he told The Aftermatch with Kirst & Beav<\/a>.<\/p>\n Donald revealed that he enjoyed how the Highlanders speedster let his stamp on the match against the Chiefs with his try when his side were chasing the game during its latter stages in Dunedin.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was something about that try from Tangitau, when he just said: \u2018Right, we need something\u2019. There was five minutes to go, two converted tries to win them the game, he just went bang!<\/p>\n Stephen Donald identifies the \u2018good problem to have\u2019 for New Zealand rugby as one position in rude health for All Blacks<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cAnd he\u2019s clearly as fast as anyone in this country.\u201d<\/p>\n