A baby in propping terms, he is a giant of a young man, standing 1.94m and weighing in at 125kg. Ta'avao has all the credentials of age-grade selections as captain of the national under 20 side.
It took just 23 minutes for the arguments to re-emerge.
A real test for the Chiefs tonight this, and one they passed but only just. Questions remain about why they are struggling to put teams away this season.
Join us here for our live blog of the Super Rugby clash between the Chiefs and the Force from ECOlight Stadium in Pukekohe.
The Blues have made a clutch of changes but coach John Kirwan is certain there will not be any mirror image in Super 15 performance tomorrow.
After Conrad Smith was knocked out in the Hurricanes' 48-14 loss to the Bulls, coach Mark Hammett has had to select a new centre for the first time since 2011.
A complaint by assistant referee Sheldon Eden-Whaitiri over sideline abuse from the Stormers could be costly for the South African franchise.
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie is furious at the backing of the television match official's actions in awarding two tries to the Rebels against his side at the weekend.
Leading New Zealand sides the Chiefs and Blues have run into a bit of a Super 15 lull.
Western Force coach Michael Foley believes his team have been dudded on the fixture front as the Super rugby club braces itself for a gruelling trek back to New Zealand.
Each day this week nzherald.co.nz looks at the progress of the NZ Super Rugby franchises at the business end of the season. Today: Gregor Paul on the last-placed Highlanders.
The blues latest plucky 18-17 win against the Stormers has now given them a quintet of triumphs in this tournament.
If the Hurricanes look a long way into the distance they might be able to make out the Super Rugby playoffs.
The Blues have been careful not to brand 2013 a development season, even though it has been.