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'Signing of the decade': New Zealand's fullback riches on show as Highlanders' recruit stars
Round one of Super Rugby Pacific saw the emergence of New Zealand’s next crop of fullbacks with Chay Fihaki, Zarn Sullivan and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens all scoring doubles.
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New Highlanders recruit Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens tore up Moana Pasifika with a dazzling performance in the No 15 jersey, scoring two tries in the 35-20 win.
His performance lead Otago Daily Times to describe him as a jackpot signing from the Blues. Hayden Meikle wrote he “might be the best signing the Highlanders have made in a decade” after his club debut.
The Taranaki-product scored the game’s first try with some shifty fullback close to the line. Another powerful carry by the fullback helped lay the platform for the Highlanders’ second which was finished by Saula Ma’u from a short ball by halfback Folau Fakatava.
Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens was difficult to tackle all night, beating 10 defenders on his 14 carries as he added some spark to the Highlanders’ attack.
After Moana Pasifika took an unexpected 21-14 lead, it was the Highlanders’ fullback latching onto a gem of a pass by Rhys Patchell from a set-piece play to score a blistering try. In open space the 22-year-old had too much speed for the last man in cover to level proceedings.
🏉🤩 La passe de Rhys Patchell 💎 pour le deuxième essai de Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens 🤩 Le demi d’ouverture gallois fait un bon match 🏴 pour sa première en #SuperRugbyPacific #HIGvMOA
pic.twitter.com/dAaIv1dO7I— Nicolas Dendri (@Nicolasdendri) February 24, 2024
The Highlanders’ No 15 was a sensation in his first start for the new club, but he wasn’t the only fullback to star on the opening weekend.
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At the Blues Zarn Sullivan scored a double as well, although Sullivan’s finishes were relatively easier, while at the Crusaders Chay Fihaki announced himself as a genuine option at fullback as well.
During the second-half comeback after trailing 27-10 at half-time, Fihaki produced a stunner from a planned play from the goal line restart.
From an inside line near the ruck the fullback burst up the middle and showed a turn of pace to split the backfield defenders Shaun Stevenson and Josh Ioane.
Fihaki carves through the Chiefs defence! 🏃♂️💨
? Super Rugby Pacific, Chiefs v Crusaders, live now. Every Match. Ad-free. Live & On Demand on the Home of Rugby, Stan Sport.#StanSportAU #SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/1kZzyu425k
— Stan Sport Rugby (@StanSportRugby) February 23, 2024
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The explosive try was Fihaki’s second of the night after earlier capitalising on the smart work of Dallas McLeod and Rivez Reihana inside to open up the Chiefs’ defence.
For the Hurricanes Ruben Love was equally damaging producing two line breaks, including the initial break to set-up debutant Jordi Viljoen.
With Will Jordan out for the Super Rugby Pacific season and Beauden Barrett currently playing Japan, concerns around who could wear the All Blacks No 15 jersey will subside quickly if these performances continue.
Last year’s breakout star Shaun Stevenson of the Chiefs had his classy moments with two try assists, but it spoke volumes to the depth in New Zealand rugby when other young fullbacks stole the spotlight on the opening weekend.
Another Super Rugby season, another chance to take in the awesome names in Pacific rugby.
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.
— CJ (@CjSonOfAnarchy) February 24, 2024
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens is looking good, Ruben Love and Chay Fihaki looked good yesterday.
Depth at full-back looks healthy.#HIGvMOA #SuperRugbyPacific
— The Rick Sanchez of Rugby 🏉🎯 (@RugbyRickSZ) February 24, 2024
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens is one serious athlete. Electric. Has All Black written all over him.
— HA’LE (@Riggs3660) February 24, 2024
Comments on RugbyPass
Fiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to comments