Watch: Tongan hitman Zane Kapeli puts bone-rattling tackle on Blues playmaker Otere Black
Tongan international Zane Kapeli put a monstrous tackle on Blues playmaker Otere Black during the Chiefs loss to the Blues in Auckland at Eden Park.
Kapeli earned his first start in the Chiefs number 7 jersey after Clayton McMillan rested most of his starters having already secured a final berth when the Blues went down 29-9 against the Crusaders.
Seemingly keen to make his presence felt in the early stages, Kapeli put a thunderous shot on Blues first five Otere Black as he was halfway through his kicking motion on a clearing kick.
The bone-crunching hit left the crowd gasping, while commentator Tony Johnson was left in awe, saying the tackle ‘absolutely mowed down’ Otere Black.
🤔 Hit of the year?
MATCH CENTRE: https://t.co/9yHtFmJB4U#BLUvCHI #SuperRugbyAotearoa pic.twitter.com/uuwA1BStFw
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) May 1, 2021
The referees reviewed the legality of the tackle but deemed the timing was fine as Black hadn’t got his kick away at the point of contact, but it left the Blues pivot unable to brace for impact.
The tackle was not the first time Kapeli has made an impression with his shoulder, putting a headline-grabbing shot on England Number 8 Billy Vunipola in the pool stages on the 2019 Rugby World Cup while playing for Tonga.
England tried to cart Vunipola up for a midfield carry off a line out but he was rocked violently by the force of Kapeli. The jarring shot lifted Tonga during a first half onslaught that disrupted England’s game.
The openside flanker joined the Highlanders in 2020 but didn’t make an appearance, and joined his second Super Rugby side with the Chiefs.
In his debut Super Rugby appearance, Kapeli rated a 6.5 by RugbyPass writer Mike Rehu, who wrote that a couple of penalties hurt his overall performance.
“Started the match inauspiciously with two penalties conceded; not rolling away in the 6th minute, and a tackle penalty 13th minute,” he wrote.
“As the nerves wore off he got one of his meat missile tackles off in the 15th minute on poor Otere Black, who will be blue as well as black tomorrow.
“Then there was another missile mission, this time with ball in hand at 29 minutes as he drove within centimetres of the line. Went into lock in the second half so didn’t feature as much in the loose.
Fielding a side of largley second-stringers, the Chiefs held the Blues until a late flurry took the match away.
At 19-all with a quarter of the game to go, a Blues resurgence lead to tries to Hoskins Sotutu and a double to debutant AJ Lam, who came off the bench.
A fourth win of the season put the Blues level on points with the Chiefs but the visitors were already assured of second place and a spot in next week’s championship final against the Crusaders because of their five previous wins.
Comments on RugbyPass
Completely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
54 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
54 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
54 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to comments