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Hot-stepping Chiefs youngster causes a stir on Twitter following 'super impressive' showing against Highlanders

By Sam Smith
Etene Nanai-Seturo showed some spark for the Chiefs on the left wing throughout the 2021 season. (Photo by Kerry Marshall/Getty Images)

Much of the attention in the wake of the Highlanders’ 39-23 win over the Chiefs on Friday has been centred around the attacking exploits of Highlanders wing Jona Nareki.

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The 23-year-old put in a man-of-the-match performance as he scored a hat-trick of tries, single-handedly set up another, ran for almost 200 metres, beat nine defenders and made five clean breaks in a scintillating attacking performance.

Nareki wasn’t the only wing to have caught the eye in that match, though, as Chiefs youngster Etene Nanai-Seturo put on a side-stepping clinic throughout the encounter.

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The electric footwork of the 21-year-old, who has long been touted as a top-level prospect, was frequently sighted throughout the contest as he used his elusiveness to bolt past 14 players – the most defenders beaten by any player in any match this season.

Nanai-Seturo also finished the match with the highest running metres of any Chiefs player (90), but it was his agility that made him such a persistent threat with ball in hand for the Hamilton franchise.

It’s for that reason the All Blacks Sevens representative could become a crucial figure for the Chiefs as they look to end their worst losing run in their history, with Friday’s result pushing their winless streak to 10 matches.

If Clayton McMillan’s side are to secure their first victory since they beat the Waratahs exactly one year ago today, it’s difficult to imagine Nanai-Seturo won’t play a key role in his side’s success.

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That’s the feeling among many fans too, plenty of whom took to Twitter to share their thoughts on how well Nanai-Seturo, who was the subject of a tug-of-war between New Zealand Rugby and the NRL’s Warriors in 2018, fared against the Highlanders.

RugbyPass columnist Michael Pulman was among those singing Nanai-Seturo’s praise on social media, labelling the young star’s performance as “super impressive”.

Others were simply in awe of Nanai-Seturo’s ability to dance around defenders at will, with one fan saying he was so agile that he “could step you in a phone booth”.

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Even the All Blacks Sevens, who Nanai-Seturo has played 61 times for in the World Sevens Series and was part of the team’s gold medal-winning side at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, got in on the action on social media.

The Chiefs’ quest to end their torrid run of results will only get tougher next week when they travel to Christchurch to face the Crusaders, but one would expect the reigning champions will be on high alert to the danger Nanai-Seturo poses.

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Trevor 58 minutes ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 4 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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