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Bay of Plenty speedster Emoni Narawa shifts from Blues to Chiefs

Emoni Narawa. (Photo by Dave Rowland/Getty Images)

Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan lamented the fact that none of his wing options had stamped their mark in their jerseys last season but the arrival of former Blues outside back Emoni Narawa could change that.

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22-year-old Narawa has notched up seven appearances for the Blues throughout his two seasons with the club but has made the decision to head south and link up with McMillan, his former coach at the Steamers.

“I am really excited, coming into a new environment,” Narawa said. “Hopefully I can come in and put on the jersey and put my best foot forward.

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The panel of Ross Karl, Bryn Hall and James Parsons run their eyes over all the developments from the past week of rugby.

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The panel of Ross Karl, Bryn Hall and James Parsons run their eyes over all the developments from the past week of rugby.

“The culture at the Gallagher Chiefs has a pretty good reputation, so I am looking forward to that. I have worked with Clayton at the Bay and I love his style of footy and I am excited about working with him.”

The Fijian-born speedster was one of the top performers from the 2019 provincial season, which saw him snapped up by Leon MacDonald at the Blues.

Injuries halted his progress at Super Rugby level but the 22-year-old was still able to put in some memorable performances off the bench for the Auckland-based franchise.

With the Blues boasting deep outside back stocks, including the likes of Caleb Clarke, Mark Telea, Rieko Ioane, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Zarn Sullivan and Stephen Perofeta, Narawa will find it easier navigating his way into a starting spot for the Chiefs – especially given his ability to cover both wing and fullback.

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“Emoni is an exciting utility back who has been a key contributor for Bay of Plenty over the past couple of seasons,” said McMillan of his new signing. “He is blessed with an array of skills, and we believe our environment will give Emoni the confidence and freedom to showcase his talent. Above all he is a good young man who is highly motivated to contribute and take his game to another level.”

Narawa will be competing with the likes of Shaun Stevenson and Etene Nanai-Seturo for a spot on the wing while Damian McKenzie’s shift to Japan also opens up a spot in the No 15 jersey – although McMillan may opt for one of Kaleb Trask or Josh Ioane to take on those duties.

“It’s probably fair to say that the area where we’ve had the biggest scope to have movement in our squad has been in and around our outside backs,” McMillan told RugbyPass earlier this year regarding the upcoming 2022 season.

“We had lots of guys that were more than adequate that did a great job for us, they’re safe, and what we’re just looking for is people who can potentially bring a little more influence through their performance and the way that they play. We’ve achieved that somewhat [through recruitment for 2022]. We’re happy with what we’ve got now.”

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The Chiefs will name their full squad on Monday 22 November.

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R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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