Blues number eight Hoskins Sotutu has got New Zealand fans excited by his form since returning for the franchise in Super Rugby Aotearoa.
The 21-year-old has displayed an array of skills from pinpoint passes to tactical kicks, which combined with his powerful ball carrying technique and tireless breakdown work makes him a hot prospect for the future.
It was recently unveiled that Sotutu qualifies for Test match rugby for his birthplace New Zealand, Fiji through his father and England through his mother, although rumours are already circulating that the All Blacks are preparing to name him in their next squad.
The youngster turns 22 in July and some fans believe he has the potential to take over the reigns of legendary number eight Kieran Read, who retired from international duty after the 2019 Rugby World Cup having won 128 caps for New Zealand.
Sotutu stands at 6ft 4” and his slick skills have been hard to miss with his bleach blonde hair. Here are some of his best moments in a Blues shirt so far this season.
7⃣ Carries 👊
5⃣ Passes✋
3⃣4⃣ Running metres 🏃♂️
1⃣ Defender Beaten 💨
1⃣5⃣ Tackles 💪
1⃣ Missed Tackle ✖️
1⃣ Try 🏉
1⃣ Try Assist 🅰️Hoskins Sotutu had another outstanding game for the Blues 👏 #SuperRugbyAotearoa #CHIvBLU pic.twitter.com/krpny2UqBd
ADVERTISEMENT— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) June 20, 2020
Hoskins Sotutu already had a nonchalant grubber-kick assist for Mark Telea in 2020. This one is so nice. Looks tough as well as a seriously skilful footballer. (Beauden Barrett slightly worried about the intercept before celebrating there). pic.twitter.com/lwxkzo0kXb
— Charlie Morgan (@CharlieFelix) June 20, 2020
Is Hoskins Sotutu really only 21? He looks like an actual giant! #SuperRugbyAotearoa #CHIvBLU pic.twitter.com/0iLHguGl4l
— Rhys Knott (@buck_mitchell) June 20, 2020
20 – @BluesRugbyTeam‘s Hoskins Sotutu is the only player to have made 20+ carries and 20+ tackles throughout #SuperRugbyAotearoa, carrying the ball 22 times and making 27 tackles through two games. Grind. pic.twitter.com/T271QPvXUe
— OptaJason (@OptaJason) June 24, 2020
Thought Blues v Highlanders was terrific. Fitness incredible. Obviously Sotutu is super exciting, but I thought Mikaele Tu’u looked fantastic, too.
— David Flatman (@davidflatman) June 27, 2020
Hoskins Sotutu…is there anything you can’t do?
📽️: @SkySportNZ#BLUvHIG pic.twitter.com/ALLygP09ed
— Super Rugby (@SuperRugbyNZ) June 27, 2020
Hoskins Sotutu is good at rugby. Scarily good at rugby.
Hoskins Sotutu is TWENTY ONE YEARS OLD.
— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) June 20, 2020
Do you reckon Eddie Jones has been on the phone to Hoskins Sotutu after watching him dominate the opening few rounds of @SuperRugbyNZ and hearing he qualifies for @EnglandRugby?! Offer him the £25 large a game Eddie!
— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) June 27, 2020
Now this player has been grabbing our attention for a while. Blues rookie eighth-man Hoskins Sotutu is raising his hand – and backing it up with proper skills – to take over from Kieran Read on a national level. After another stellar performance, he’s our Blues player of the week pic.twitter.com/ohP1pyi5bv
— vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) June 22, 2020
🔥 Hoskins Sotutu with the try assist!
Watch on @SkySportNZ to see if @BluesRugbyTeam can stay on top at Eden Park.#BLUvHIG pic.twitter.com/cBVjkqibb7
— Super Rugby (@SuperRugbyNZ) June 27, 2020
Imagine being Hoskins Sotutu…
On fire in #SuperRugbyAotearoa with international honours certain, 21 and a choice of NZ, Fiji and England. What’s your call on it?!?Heart 🇫🇯
Head 🇳🇿
…Heavier wallet 🏴ADVERTISEMENT— Rob Vickerman (@robvickerman) June 27, 2020
Amazing finish from Telea, but how about the pill from Sotutu 💥#CHIvBLU pic.twitter.com/Nh6RDfBSvh
— Super Rugby (@SuperRugbyNZ) June 20, 2020
Sign In