Asafo Aumua

All Blacks' Asafo Aumua out to make most of second chance

In the past, Aumua

Son drives Asafo Aumua to be a better All Black

The 23-year-old hooker has been recalled to the All Blacks in coach Ian Foster's first squad.

Aumua made two appearances for New Zealand off the bench in 2017, before he had played Super Rugby, but then the speedster who made an impact at the World Under 20 Championship that year couldn't push on with the national side.

The Wellingtonian, who has signed with the Hurricanes until the end of 2023, said he worked hard on and off the field in recent years with the aim of establishing himself as an All Black.

Asafo Aumua ready to claim second chance with All Blacks

On Monday, Aumua was recalled to the All Blacks squad to play Japan next month, after one of the most challenging periods of his professional career.

"It's been a tough year," Aumua told Newshub.

"I'm pretty shocked, I didn't really think I'd be in there again."

Twelve months ago, Aumua demanded a national call up with some stunning form for Wellington in the Mitre 10 Cup, which made him impossible to ignore.

But he's endured a testing time since, and he accepts it was mostly his own doing.