Otago keen for some nifty work by Nareki
IT has been a big year for Jona Nareki.
The 19yearold Otago winger announced his arrival when he was named in the New Zealand under20 team in May and went to Georgia the following month to contest the World Junior Championships.
He made his provincial debut from the bench during the opening game of the Mitre 10 Cup against North Harbour in August, and earlier this week signed for the New Zealand sevens team.
In between there was a lot of fancy sidestepping for AlhambraUnion.
The left winger has been a revelation for Otago with eight tries. He bagged a hattrick against Manawatu, two against Auckland and scored a memorable 60m try in the Ranfurly Shield challenge against Canterbury.
‘‘It has been a hell of a year. I think the boys are making me look good,’’ Nareki said in a nod to the forward pack.
‘‘I’m just the last person to get the ball at the end of the line and get the tries.’’
Nareki was born in Fiji but grew up in Whanganui. He honed his silky footwork at Whanganui City College before transferring to Feilding High School in year 13.
He was selected for the New Zealand Barbarians school side in 2015 and before that was named in the Hurricanes under18 side. But Nareki moved south last year and is studying a sports and management course at Otago Polytechnic.
‘‘I was real nervous for the first two games [for Otago] but you get used to it.
‘‘Preparation has been the biggest step up. I was used to just waking up and going to club rugby but now there is a lot of preparation before a game.’’
Whatever Nareki is doing before games he should keep doing it. Otago needs the elusive
outside back at his best for its crucial match against Southland at Forsyth Barr Stadium this evening.
The home team must win to have a chance of making the playoffs.
Coach Cory Brown has put some experienced players around Nareki with Matt Faddes slotting in at fullback and Mitchell Scott returning from injury to play on the right wing.
Southland is expected to kick for territory which will provide the exciting trio with opportunities to counterattack.
‘‘We have a few plays up our sleeve, so we will see how it goes.’’
Nareki said his first love was for the 15man code and he hopes to land a Super Rugby contract eventually. But he is looking forward to having an opportunity to express himself when he links up with the New Zealand sevens team next month.
‘‘It is a big thrill and a big opportunity which I had to take. I wanted to go for it and see how I will go.
‘‘It can open doors in 15s as well.’’