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‘We’ll see how this goes’: Emoni Narawa reacts to All Blacks bolter talk
By Finn Morton
Last month, All Blacks coach Ian Foster named Chiefs winger Emoni Narawa as a potential bolter ahead of this year’s Rugby World Cup in France.
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Narawa has been nothing short of sensational for the undefeated Chiefs this season, but the 23-year-old isn’t getting caught up in the hype.
The Fijian-born prospect is in the midst of a breakout campaign with the ladder-leading Chiefs, having scored six tries throughout the opening 11 rounds of the season.
This year’s Rugby World Cup in only four months away, and Narawa is peaking at the right time. While expectation has continued to build, the winger has passed every test with flying colours.
On a recent episode of Sky Sport’s The Breakdown, former All Black Jeff Wilson said “it’s a done deal” that Narawa makes his Test debut this season – that’s high praise with the sport’s biggest event now nigh on the horizon.
But again, the 23-year-old isn’t getting caught up in the hype.
Narawa has downplayed talk of him playing for the All Blacks this year, saying he’s focused on the Chiefs’ season at the moment.
“My focus at the moment is just the Chiefs’ season,” Narawa told Newshub. “We’ll see how this goes – whatever opportunity comes, comes.
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“I just want to focus on the Chiefs’ season at the moment.
SOLOOOO 🔥
Emoni Narawa puts on the burners for this @ChiefsRugby try!#SuperRugbyPacific #HIGvCHI pic.twitter.com/W5cCITgF7R
— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) May 5, 2023
“I’ve always wanted to play at a World Cup, it’s one of my goals. But like I said, I don’t want to get ahead of myself.
“First things first, the Chiefs’ season.”
Led by playmaker Brad Weber and Damian McKenzie, the Chiefs have outclassed every opponent they’ve faced this season, including two wins over the champion Crusaders.
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The Chiefs sit atop of the Super Rugby Pacific standings after 11 rounds, and there’s some daylight to second place.
Along with Narawa, the high-flying Shaun Stevenson continues to stake his claim for an All Blacks callup.
But speaking about the Chiefs winger in particular, coach Clayton McMillan praised Narawa for his hard work over preseason “to get in the best nick he’s ever been in.”
“It obviously helps when you’re an outside back that the other 13 guys inside you are doing their job,” McMillan said, as reported by Newshub.
“That’s certainly tacking in the right direction there. But I’d put it down to his conditioning.
“He worked really hard over the summer to get in the best nick he’s ever been in. He’s managed to stay relatively injury free.
“He still gets those little hamstring injuries and calf issues that fast guys tend to get – most of us don’t have to worry about that stuff.
“That’s helped him be more consistent in his performance.”
The Chiefs will look to continue their unbeaten run when they host the Queensland Reds at FMG Stadium on Friday evening.
