After making his All Blacks debut, Xavier Numia fulfilled a family belief that never wavered – even when his own did.
On the back of an exhausting, enthralling first test match against the notoriously physical French, the moment Numia saw his family at fulltime, the tears began to flow.
“It’s been a dream for a long time and I wasn’t sure if I was going to ever achieve it,” Numia said.
One man, however, never had any doubts. Numia’s grandfather always knew his grandson would be an All Black.
“As soon as I saw my grandpa he gave me a big hug and obviously shed a few tears. It’s not just my dream, but to bring his and my family’s name on the map and for him to witness it himself was truly special.”
On Saturday night, Numia became All Black number 1233, when the dynamic prop took the field with 20 minutes remaining in the season opener against France.
It couldn’t have been more of a cauldron to be thrust into.
Holding a slender 26-25 lead, the All Blacks found themselves under relentless pressure as France launched a late onslaught, leaving the test on a knife-edge right until the final whistle.
However, the All Blacks held on for a pulsating 34-32 victory to kick off life under new coach Dave Rennie with a win.
Numia alongside Hurricanes teammate Asafo Aumua and fellow debutant Jamie Hannah.
Chris Symes / www.photosport.nz
Physically drained, Numia then let the emotions pour out.
“I’m truly grateful that I got to experience that moment with my family who travelled down from Wellington. To see them after was a moment I’ll never forget.”
To make the occasion even more memorable, Numia was subbed into the game at the same time as Hurricanes teammates and fellow front rowers Asafo Aumua and Tyrel Lomax.
“To have them by my side was pretty surreal. They made me feel at home and made me feel pretty easy.”
Numia’s debut also marked the culmination of a journey which started at St Patrick’s College alongside Billy Proctor, who made his All Black debut in 2024 under Scott Roberston.
“We talked about it last night, our journey from school and where we are right now. To be able to do it with someone like Billy and play a lot of teams with each other is pretty special. I don’t think many people can say they’ve done that with a teammate, especially in the All Blacks.
“If you asked us 10 years ago that 10 years from our last year of school we’d be playing for the All Blacks together, I’d probably think it’s a joke and think someone’s pranking me. But yeah, now I’m just truly blessed to be able to do it with one of my best mates.”