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Chiefs star Taleni Seu switches Mitre 10 Cup allegiances

Taleni Seu in action for Auckland. (Photo by Dianne Manson/Getty Images)

Chiefs forward Taleni Seu has made a provincial switch ahead of this year’s Mitre 10 Cup campaign, moving from reining champions Auckland to Waikato.

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The Mooloos’ capture of the 25-year-old lock/loose forward was announced by the Waikato Rugby Union on Tuesday, and the move is believed to be a family-oriented one.

“He has a partner working and living in Hamilton and I’m sure that was a significant driver in his decision,” Waikato head coach Andrew Strawbridge said.

“Taleni is a very talented player and his ability to play a number of positions to a high standard will provide us with some choices.”

“He is a hardworking man and is always looking to grow his game. His desire to contribute within the team environment and to the broader community marks him as a special bloke.”

Injuries have stalled Seu’s career progress and prevented him from adding to his appearance tally for both Auckland and the Chiefs, but a permanent move to Hamilton will bring a new opportunity to push for higher honours.

Seu – who played more than 20 times for Auckland since debuting for the province in 2015 and has amassed over 40 caps for the Chiefs since his Super Rugby debut a year later – is the second high-profile player to commit themselves to Waikato in recent weeks after young Crusaders wing Sevu Reece re-signed for the 2019 campaign.

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After securing promotion into the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership with their Championship title success last year, Seu will get the chance to face his old side when Waikato face Auckland in Hamilton on August 31.

Seu will not be involved in any rugby this week as the Chiefs have the first of their two byes, and will next be in line for selection when his side hosts the Blues on April 13.

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Nickers 20 minutes ago
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I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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