Jona Nareki on Joseph's apology, Tangitau's arrival and Feilding grit

Jona Nareki bristles with infectious energy; talented, thoughtful and funny. With the Highlanders, he forms one-third of perhaps the best back three in Super Rugby Pacific. What makes left winger Nareki click so seamlessly with right winger Caleb Tangitau and fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens?

“We have a good balance,” Nareki told RugbyPass.

“Caleb is raw speed and electricity. He’s scored 10 tries in his last 12 games, which is off the charts. Jacob is a calm head. He makes great decisions, often putting others in a better position. I’m not the fastest or calmest, but I see things differently. I’m not afraid to have a crack, and my left foot complements Caleb and Jacob’s right foot kicking.

“We’re lucky to have Ben Smith as one of our assistant coaches. Bender is one of the best to have done it in our position and has taught me a lot about mindset, partnership, and balance. Jamie Joseph still spots things in the game that amaze me. When he was in the running for the All Blacks job, it was a distraction. Everyone here wanted him to get it, so it was disappointing when he didn’t. He even apologised to us for being a bit intense. Things are more relaxed now, but we’re still focused.”

Despite several exciting breaks by the Highlanders’ “triple threats,” they couldn’t overcome the Crusaders in Christchurch, losing 29-18 and failing to score in the last quarter after leading 18-12.

The Highlanders’ promising challenge unravelled when an unstable lineout worsened, with locks Tomas Lavanini and Mitch Dunshea both gone by halftime. First Five-Eighth Cam Millar left in shaky shape in the 59th minute. Missing players is not an excuse, Nareki insists.

“Wingers used to throw to the lineout. I ‘d have to do it underarm. Not sure that’s even allowed,” Nareki laughed.

“There was one stat: our ruck-to-kick ratio was 46 to 1, when it’s usually 3 to 1. So we had 46 rucks before a kick, instead of the usual three. In the last 20 minutes, when we needed to score, we stopped doing what works for us, which is finding a balance between playing and overplaying.

“Pushing through 25 phases and getting nowhere against a strong defence uses up a lot of energy. There’s so much kicking now because you want to move the point of contact and create chaos, which leads to broken play. The current rules make it an unfair contest. When you’re under a high ball with three or four defenders running at you, it’s not a great place to be.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

0

Draws

0

Wins

5

Average Points scored

14

36

First try wins

40%

Home team wins

40%

One kick for every three rucks. How does a kick-heavy strategy work for a player who’s scored 38 tries in 67 games for Otago and 22 in 53 for the Highlanders? Is perpetual kicking boring to play?

“We’re trying to be smart about when and where we play, instead of overplaying,” Nareki said.

“Against the Crusaders, it was our mistakes, not the game plan, that cost us. I misread Will Jordan before he scored. We wasted energy by going from phase to phase and side to side too much.

“We’re up against the top-of-the-table Hurricanes this Friday. Their bench did a job against the Force. They’re strong from one to 23. It doesn’t get any easier.”

Even though the Highlanders like to kick, Nareki is still in the top ten for clean breaks in the competition. Tangitau and Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens are also in the top ten for defenders beaten and meters gained.

During Otago’s Ranfurly Shield run to their first NPC final since 2005 last year, Nareki was in top form. He ranked in the top ten for tries scored (6), clean breaks (16), and metres gained (696) over 12 matches.

Nareki’s potential has always been clear. He was part of the last New Zealand team to win the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in 2017. That team also included All Blacks Asfao Aumua, Caleb Clarke, Dalton Papali’i, Will Jordan, Braydon Ennor, and Luke Jacobson.

“It’s cool to have been part of that team, but it’s also a bit surprising we’re the last to win the (Junior) World Cup,” Nareki said.

“I don’t think I would have made that team if it weren’t for Braeden Whitelock. He saw me playing for Whanganui City College against Feilding High School’s seconds. I was playing first-five and kicking goals. After the game, he came to see me and asked if I wanted to join my friend Vilimoni Koroi at Feilding.

“People are always surprised when Feilding wins. They’re heading to Japan in April for Sanix. Man, they work hard – Feilding grit is real. The school helped me a lot when I was there. I remember we beat Palmerston North Boys’ High School 25-15 in our first game against them in years. I scored two tries; Villi got one. Stewart Cruden, Aaron’s brother, was in Year 10 playing at ten. I remember we had a target on him.”

Riding the euphoria of being the second-best rugby school in New Zealand in 2025, Feilding caused a stir when they released their own range of “Agies” budgie-smuggler underwear. “Aggies” is a traditional nickname from an early chapter in the school’s history. About 25 years ago, the school shortened its name from Feilding Agricultural High School (FAHS) because the “agricultural” reference was deterring overseas students.

“I thought they’d ask me to model them, but they picked Aaron Smith instead. Must have been the ladies’ range,” Nareki laughed.

Such frivolity makes Nareki a joy to be around. He and his partner, Katie, now have three children: JJ, Miliana, and Jacob.

“JJ is Jamie Jo when I’m working. That’s why I make the team every week,” Nareki laughed.