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Quinn Tupaea: All Blacks have found their defensive DNA
Sport Nation • July 21st, 2026 7:07 am
Quinn Tupaea | Photo: Photosport
Questions around the All Blacks’ defence came quickly after their opening game of the 2026 Nations Championship, when they conceded four tries against France in Christchurch.
But after a much sharper showing at Eden Park, midfielder Quinn Tupaea believes the side is starting to find its defensive identity.
Tupaea said the performance was a clear step forward after the opening two Tests.
“Very satisfying, I guess just building on the last two games and then getting a performance like that at Eden Park is very satisfying,” Tupaea told Sport Nation's Millsy and Guy.
“Our defence is going in the right direction and we started off well and got into the flow of our attack.
“Our big boys took them up front set piece wise and then allowed our backs to do some good things on the edges and score some good tries, so very pleasing.”
Tupaea admitted he felt there was more in his own game after the first Test against France, and simplified his role heading into the weekend.
“After the France one, I was not disappointed with how I played, but I knew I could play better,” he said.
“When I play at my best, I’m physical on both sides of the ball, run demand is high, work rate, getting yourself from positions to attack, but then comfort on defence.
Quinn Tupaea | Photo: Photosport
The Chiefs midfielder has had to adjust to playing in the No. 13 jersey, having spent most of his Super Rugby season at second-five. He said the biggest difference is timing on attack and the amount of space he has to defend.
“You’ve got to defend more of the field,” Tupaea said.
“I guess making reads is a lot harder at centre because if you miss, you’ve only got your winger to help you with 35 metres of space.
“That’s been an adjustment. I’ve leant a lot on my midfield partners and learning a lot from Tana (Umaga) as well and the defence group.
“We got off to a shaky start there, but I think we’ve found our DNA and how we want to defend.”
Tupaea said Ireland’s attack had caused problems at training during the week, with the All Blacks’ wider squad mimicking their structures.
“Our non-23 guys were doing their best to run their attack against us during the week and they were ripping us apart, to be fair,” he said.
“So it was a little bit nervous around that, but I guess just the pressure, inside pressure you bring, and if you connect on the outside, you can make good inroads there on defence.”
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Tupaea said the All Blacks are now growing quickly under the new coaching group, despite the short turnaround from Super Rugby into the Test season.
“We’ve come a long way, seen the upward trends from the three games,” he said.
“The team’s in a great space. Our coaches are awesome, we have a great leadership group, so the group’s riding high and full of confidence.”
With a tour to South Africa looming, Tupaea said the All Blacks know the challenge waiting for them will be significant.
“It’s going to be a massive challenge,” he said.
“We know how hostile it is over there and the form that South Africans are in.
“But we’ve got a lot of confidence in camp. We’ve seen what our game can produce when we get it right.
“It’s all about playing with speed and playing fearlessly, so it’s an exciting prospect for our group.”
Listen to the full interview below:
