Nanai-Seturo opts to wing it for Games glory
‘‘Obviously sevens is a big running game, high intensity, and I think I just need to work on my fitness.’’ Etene Nanai-Seturo
Chiefs winger Etene NanaiSeturo is going for gold.
The hot-stepping 21-year-old is the first Super Rugby player to commit their services to the All Blacks Sevens programme for the Tokyo Olympics.
This week it was confirmed Salesi Rayasi had turned down the opportunity of a sevens switch to instead stay with the Hurricanes, while Blues and All Blacks star Caleb Clarke has said he will make a call any day now.
Nanai-Seturo was the only other realistic candidate to jump from 15s back to the shorter format, and ahead of his side’s Super Rugby Aotearoa final against the Crusaders in Christchurch tomorrow night, he told Stuff that would indeed be happening.
It’s understood the Chiefs have known of Nanai-Seturo’s plans before the start of the season and have been planning accordingly.
The sevens squad is likely getting together next week ahead of a series against Australia in Auckland on May 21-23.
That is set to see Nanai-Seturo miss the Chiefs’ Super Rugby trans-Tasman campaign, though in speaking to Stuff this week, the fleet-footed flyer said he was still awaiting more details on just when he would link up.
‘‘I don’t know if it’s my last game, I haven’t heard anything yet, this week I’m just focused on the Crusaders,’’ Nanai-Seturo said.
‘‘I just know that I’ll be back with the sevens boys, but I haven’t got a set time.
‘‘After this weekend we’ll see what happens, if I’m meant to be back next week or after.’’
Nanai-Seturo debuted for the All Blacks Sevens in 2018, amidst an ugly tug-of-war between New Zealand Rugby and the Warriors NRL club.
He has gone on to play 61 games in the black jersey, enjoying some starring moments on the World Series, and claiming a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, where he was one of New Zealand’s two tryscorers in the final against Fiji.
Olympic gold would be the perfect accompaniment. Though it’s one step at a time for NanaiSeturo, firstly having to actually make the cut for the Games squad, set to be named late next month.
‘‘Because we’ve been playing back to back, I haven’t really sat down and thought about the Olympics,’’ he said.
‘‘But after this week, or whenever I’m back with the sevens boys, then I’ll probably change my focus to wanting to make the Olympics team.
‘‘First of all I need to buy a new set of lungs, a new set of legs too.
‘‘Obviously sevens is a big running game, high intensity, and I think I just need to work on my fitness.
‘‘I know the boys there well and the coaching staff as well, so they’ll get me up to speed.’’
In a 15s career which saw him star with Saint Kentigern College and play for New Zealand Schools, then represent Counties Manukau in the NPC, NanaiSeturo, in between New Zealand Under-20s and All Blacks Sevens commitments, has now notched
20 games for the Chiefs, who he is signed with through till 2022.
Having rejoined the club when Covid-19 shut the World Sevens Series down last year, Nanai-Seturo has this year cemented his spot on the left wing, and said he came into the year with a good pre-season under his belt and a mindset just to play consistent footy.
He has been more than that, often a sight to behold with his bright boots bouncing away from would-be tacklers, sitting second in the competition for defenders beaten, with 34 from six matches, just one behind Crusaders firstfive Richie Mo’unga’s 35, from eight games.