Opportunity knocks for fullback
There was no wide smile or patting himself on the back after Chay Fihaki’s best game for the Crusaders.
Handed first crack in the No 15 jersey with Will Jordan out for the Super Rugby Pacific season after shoulder surgery, Fihaki repaid the trust.
In just his eighth start he produced a pleasing showing, scoring two tries in the 33-29 opening-round loss to the Chiefs.
His second was a ripper, latching on to an inside pass from young lock Jamie Hannah and racing 30 metres to score.
The quietly spoken Fihaki, in his fourth season with the Crusaders, was not getting carried away.
You can guarantee it won’t be the two tries that stuck out for him. Rather, a shoddy clearing kick to Damian McKenzie that sparked an end-to-end try for the Chiefs, finished by halfback Xavier Roe.
“There were areas there in the first half [where I let myself down]. I kind of found my feet in the second half. I’m looking to build on that performance,’’ Fihaki said.
Head coach Rob Penney has kept the faith in the 23-year-old, retaining him at fullback for tonight’s Super Round clash with the Waratahs in Melbourne.
The Waratahs opened the season with a forgettable 40-22 loss to the Reds in Brisbane, but the Crusaders won’t be taking them lightly, not after they were the only Australian side to topple them twice in the Scott Robertson era, beating them in 2022 and 2019 in Sydney.
The Crusaders haven’t started 0-2 since 2014 when they began with losses to the Chiefs and Blues, but went on to make the final, being edged by the Waratahs.
With All Blacks gun Jordan out for the campaign, Penney challenged Fihaki to stand up and make the most of his opportunity in pre-season.
The Crusaders need him to thrive too with Welsh test centurion Leigh Halfpenny tearing a pectoral muscle in pre-season, further depleting their outside back stocks.
Fihaki has struggled for regular starts and game-time in his first three seasons at the Crusaders. He made 10 appearances last year with Jordan battling a migraine-related illness, gaining three starts.
Fikahi showcased his talent in the NPC with Canterbury, where he scored four tries in 11 games last year. The Aucklander was a member of the Sacred Heart College First XV, moving to Christchurch to play for Canterbury in 2020.
“What an athlete and someone that we are really excited about. He’s been well touted as having a lot of potential, but we all know potential is only valuable when it’s realised,” Penney said prior to the Chiefs game.
“He’s coming to that point in his career where he’s got an opportunity and his confidence and belief is at a stage where we are very hopeful he will be one of the standouts at the weekend.”
Fihaki certainly delivered, but knows backing up strong performances week-toweek and eliminating mistakes is crucial at this level.
He grew in confidence on the Crusaders’ Northern Hemisphere pre-season tour, starting in both games against Munster and the Bristol Bears.
After Halfpenny’s nasty injury, Fihaki switched from the right wing, where he started against Munster, wearing the 15 jersey against Bristol.
“I was just talking to Rob Penney before the season started and it’s around confidence.
“He believes in me that I’ve got the skillset to play at 15, so I’ve just got to back myself and whatever opportunities I get I’ve got to take it 100%.”
Experienced Crusaders backs like David Havili, Ryan Crotty and Sevu Reece had been integral in helping Fihaki whenever he needed advice. Jordan had also been a supportive ear.“Whenever he’s in I’ll ask questions to see what his thoughts were on the game or where I can build.”
Penney confirmed the Crusaders had carried out an extensive global search for outside back cover after the injuries to Jordan and Halfpenny. He hoped to confirm something next week.
Meanwhile, All Blacks prop Tamaiti Williams (hamstring) and first five-eighth Rivez Reihana (shoulder) who were injured against the Chiefs, are not expected back until after the team’s bye in early April.
Hooker Brodie McAlister (knee) who was hurt in the pre-season against the Highlanders, is also due back around the same time. Fellow rake Ioane Moananu (chest) could be available in the next 10 days.