Tamanivalu’s winging it at Crusaders
The Crusaders haven’t received instruction from Steve Hansen to play star recruit Seta Tamanivalu on the wing, insisting it’s their own idea.
Fijian-born Tamanivalu is poised to debut for his new Super Rugby side in Saturday night’s opener against the Brumbies at Christchurch’s AMI Stadium.
After two seasons with the Chiefs, the 24-year-old, who played three tests off the bench for the All Blacks last year, has shifted south ‘‘to try something different’’ and step outside his comfort zone.
Tamanivalu has spent most of his career at centre, but been used on the right wing in pre-season, scoring three tries there in Friday’s 33-27 loss to the Hurricanes in Waverley.
Crusaders assistant coach Brad Mooar said there hadn’t been direction from All Blackscoach Hansen to move Tamanivalu out wide, a position he’s still learning.
‘‘Absolutely none. There’s good alignment around both groups.
‘‘We think he can play centre and wing and then we’ll play him where we think is best for us and for him.’’
Tamanivalu lined up on the wing at Crusaders’ training on Monday with All Blacks secondfive Ryan Crotty and Jack Goodhue, who has endured a trying time with injuries in recent years, running in the midfield.
Goodhue would make his Super Rugby debut should he take the field on Saturday.
Tamanivalu is a freakish talent with his ability to bust the defensive line and generate offloads.
So how did the Crusaders manage to draw him away from the Chiefs, who he played 22 games for during the 2015 and 2016 seasons?
Mooar said they heard a whisper he wasn’t contracted for 2017 and new coach Scott Robertson began making enquiries.
‘‘Razor [Robertson] spoke to him and sold the vision and he was ready for a move and we were ready to receive a guy like that.
‘‘It was a great endorsement of the culture here and the environment. A guy, who’s played test rugby wanted to move here to cement himself and make himself better.’’
Mooar stressed they were open to using Tamanivalu both at centre and on the right wing, depending on the team situation and how he was performing.
With the Crusaders’ former blockbusting Fijian wing Nemani Nadolo now with Montpellier in France, Mooar said Tamanivalu was a perfect replacement in the backline.
‘‘It’s like he’s been here for three or four years. He’s part of the furniture already. His brutal strength on attack is just outstanding – 108 kilos of power and aggression, which is just awesome. He’s going to be superb for us.’’
The rise of young midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown at the Chiefs and All Blacks last year surely crossed Tamanivalu’s mind when he decided to join the Crusaders.
Leaving the Chiefs was ‘‘tough’’, but he was ready for a fresh start.
‘‘I just wanted to try something different. I don’t want to get too comfortable around the [Chiefs] boys,’’ Tamanivalu said.
‘‘I’ve got to think what’s in the future and what’s best for me and my family.’’
Seeing Tamanivalu in red-andblack might take some getting used to for his parents, who reside in Fiji’s second largest city, Lautoka.
Tamanivalu admitted he grew up supporting the Blues following their title-winning heyday in the mid 1990s.
‘‘I used to follow the Blues because at the time the Blues were really good. Everyone in my village followed the Blues.
‘‘Even my dad these days is still backing the Blues. Hopefully, they back the Crusaders now.’’