Poihipi aims to be quick off the mark for Chiefs
The last time Rameka Poihipi suited up against Moana Pasifika he was rewriting the record books with some stunning early inspiration.
One year later, in the corresponding matchup, in Hamilton tonight, and he’ll be very much looking to lead from the front once more, as he takes over the Chiefs captaincy.
Moana’s players are probably still waking in cold sweats over Poihipi’s perfect play on that March 4 evening during last year’s Super Round in Melbourne.
All of eight seconds it was from the time Angus Gardner blew the opening whistle to when Poihipi was crossing the tryline, in a scarcely-believable start to the game at AAMI Park.
Following up Damian McKenzie’s kickoff, the diligent second-five anticipated the in-field pass from winger Anzelo Tuitavuki and duly pulled off an intercept which saw him coast in for a try which broke a 22-year-standing record for the fastest in Super Rugby history, in a game in which the Chiefs registered a comfortable 52-29 win.
While Tuitavuki will this time be watching on from a bulging Moana casualty ward, Poihipi is sure to be keyed up to provide yet more follow-me-type deeds at Waikato Stadium, as he skippers the Chiefs for the first time.
With regular captain Luke Jacobson (fresh in the role this year himself as Sam Cane spends a season in Japan and Brad Weber’s headed to France) sitting out today’s game as part of an All Blacks rest week, the leadership spotlight will be shone elsewhere for last year’s runners-up.
Coach Clayton McMillan had sprung something of a surprise earlier in the year when naming Poihipi and Kaylum Boshier − who will play from the bench today − as his vice-captains for the season, ahead of other national reps.
The pair are both in their fourth seasons at the franchise, boast just 22 (Boshier) and 34 (Poihipi) Chiefs caps, and are by no means nailed-on starters (Poihipi wasn’t even in the 23 last week).
But, before their taste of the leadership in the pre-season, there was further experience for each to lean on, with Boshier the incumbent Taranaki captain and having also led the New Zealand Under-19 cricket team, while Poihipi in 2016 captained both the Hamilton Boys’ High First XV and the school’s top touch team.
“It’s a bit of a nod to the future, but also the general public won’t be aware around the influence those guys have in our environment,” McMillan had said of the duo in January when he revealed his leadership group.
“They’re highly respected players, they lead by example, they’re a bit quieter but they’re really considered, and when they talk it’s usually in support or to challenge, and they’ve done that well.
“We know we’ve got some more established All Blacks and perhaps bigger personalities in the team that are going to add value anyway. So it’s about sharing the responsibility of the leadership role.”
With star No 10 Damian McKenzie back in the driver’s seat right beside him, what will also make Poihipi’s job more straightforward is if the Chiefs get back to their uber-quick starts.
Eight seconds might take some beating, mind you, but having scored a competition-leading 40% of their tries this season in the opening quarter of matches, they have a penchant for getting out of the blocks in smart fashion – something that didn’t happen in last Friday’s surprise loss to the Crusaders in Christchurch.
And with the top-of-the-table Hurricanes looming next week before their bye, this clash against the reigning two-time wooden spooners looms as vital to get the Chiefs back on track.
“There’s nothing like a loss to bring your focus back to where it needs to be,” McMillan noted.
“It hurt, but the reality is that we were beaten to the punch in lots of little areas by a pretty desperate team. The learning for us is that we need to show the same level of desperation.”