Sevu Reece shows why the Chiefs should have signed him

Crusaders’ debutant Sevu Reece dazzled in his first Super Rugby showing, grabbing an intercept try and setting up another try for reserve halfback Bryn Hall in a man-of-the-match performance in the demolition of the Chiefs.

Sevu Reece will show the Chiefs what they missed out on come Saturday Arvo ??? #CRUvCHI

— Malcolm Dixon-Searle (@SearleDixon) March 7, 2019

#cruvchi
Sevu Reece just hit Alaimalo into next month.
Lord

— El Hefe (@The_fusse) March 9, 2019

https://twitter.com/leyviatu_/status/1104253104621383680

The product of Hamilton Boys High continued the form he showed for Waikato in last year’s Mitre 10 Cup where he scored 14 tries in the Championship-winning campaign.

He finished with 153 running metres on 16 carries with five line breaks on the end of a red-hot Crusaders backline. The undoubted talent of the Fijian is sure to flourish whenever he is on the flank for the All Black-laden team, but the Chiefs will be ruing the fact that one from their own backyard is now donning red and black.

Reece was left unsigned during the Super Rugby squad announcements and was picked up by the Crusaders as a late addition while he was undertaking off-field measures to earn his redemption. Following his court appearance for a domestic case in late 2018, Reece has been doing everything right in order to make the most of his second chance.

“I have found over the years the players that have struggled and struggled [with behaviour] have ended up not having their contracts renewed. I have seen instances where the consequences have been pretty severe,” RPA boss Rob Nichol explained.

“Sevu Reece was absolutely involved in an incident. He has done everything everyone wanted and more in terms of owning it and trying to address the issue.

“He lost his overseas contract, he effectively had no contract and then an opportunity come up at the Crusaders.”

Reece’s on-field form during the Mitre 10 Cup for Waikato was scintillating, showing that Super Rugby was within his potential. Waikato assistant coach Roger Randle, who is now an assistant backs coach with the Chiefs, believed that it was time for Reece to get a shot.

“Guys like Sevu Reece have been outstanding and I think everybody should be looking at him in Super [Rugby],” Randle told RugbyPass.

“I don’t care what excuse people have got at Super-land.”

Reece might one day return to the Chiefs but right now is making the most of his second shot, with the Crusaders reaping all the benefits.