Crusader's Fiji omission could leave door open for All Blacks call-up
Fiji announced their World Cup training squad today, and it is a team that looks to be a genuine threat to Australia and Wales in their pool.
Both the forwards and backs have some truly world class players, as John McKee’s team is littered with some of the biggest names in France’s Top 14. The squad will meet up in July, and will face the Maori All Blacks, Japan, Canada and Samoa in July and August, before heading to the World Cup.
However, one noticeable omission from the squad is the Crusaders’ Sevu Reece. The winger is uncapped, and is eligible to play for Fiji, having been born there, and New Zealand, having moved there when he was 14.
The 22-year-old has been in devastating form this season for the rampant Crusaders. Standing at only 5ft 10, Reece packs a huge amount of power, and has been one of the revelations of the season for the reigning champions.
Having been overlooked by the Chiefs, Reece was set to join Irish province Connacht in 2018, but that was cancelled due to an off field incident. Scott Robinson’s team have given him a chance this season, and he has taken it.
Although McKee has stated that there is still a chance for players that have not been picked to represent Fiji at the World Cup, it is bizarre that Reece has not been selected immediately. He is fit, and his form warrants a selection currently.
However, this may simply be because he is still playing in Super Rugby, and there is still a way to go in the season, particularly for the Crusaders. On the other hand, the northern hemisphere competitions are drawing to a close.
This omission may also signify that the winger has opted to take his chances with the All Blacks in the future, and potentially the World Cup. Throughout this Super Rugby season, Reece’s form, and which country he should represent, has been a keenly discussed topic, as he seems to improve week on week.
It would be a very tall order to make it into Steve Hansen’s team for the showcase in Japan, which starts in September, but with many All Blacks moving on after the tournament, such as Ben Smith and Waisake Naholo, a space may open up for the winger.
Reece still faces stiff competition from his teammates at the Crusaders to make it into the national team, regardless of whether it is before or after the World Cup. Braydon Ennor and Will Jordan are two young outside backs that are also attracting a lot of attention; part of the conveyor belt of talent that comes through the Crusaders’ system. As well as those two, five-cap peripheral All Black David Havili has also put his hand up for selection.
While there is little doubt that Reece would earn a place in Fiji’s squad, it was always going to be tougher to become an All Black. After all, Hansen probably has the greatest pool of talent to choose from in world rugby. Then again, the financial incentive is far greater for Reece, and at the end of the day, this is his livelihood. The prestige of playing for the iconic black jersey may also be too tempting for Reece.
Perhaps this may be a case of looking into something too much, but the fact that there has not even been a caveat regarding Reece’s selection after Super Rugby reaches its conclusion, could show where his international future lies.
Comments on RugbyPass
Good summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
1 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
8 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
8 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
5 Go to comments