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Hot-stepping Chiefs youngster causes a stir on Twitter following 'super impressive' showing against Highlanders

Etene Nanai-Seturo showed some spark for the Chiefs on the left wing throughout the 2021 season. (Photo by Kerry Marshall/Getty Images)

Much of the attention in the wake of the Highlanders’ 39-23 win over the Chiefs on Friday has been centred around the attacking exploits of Highlanders wing Jona Nareki.

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The 23-year-old put in a man-of-the-match performance as he scored a hat-trick of tries, single-handedly set up another, ran for almost 200 metres, beat nine defenders and made five clean breaks in a scintillating attacking performance.

Nareki wasn’t the only wing to have caught the eye in that match, though, as Chiefs youngster Etene Nanai-Seturo put on a side-stepping clinic throughout the encounter.

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The electric footwork of the 21-year-old, who has long been touted as a top-level prospect, was frequently sighted throughout the contest as he used his elusiveness to bolt past 14 players – the most defenders beaten by any player in any match this season.

Nanai-Seturo also finished the match with the highest running metres of any Chiefs player (90), but it was his agility that made him such a persistent threat with ball in hand for the Hamilton franchise.

It’s for that reason the All Blacks Sevens representative could become a crucial figure for the Chiefs as they look to end their worst losing run in their history, with Friday’s result pushing their winless streak to 10 matches.

If Clayton McMillan’s side are to secure their first victory since they beat the Waratahs exactly one year ago today, it’s difficult to imagine Nanai-Seturo won’t play a key role in his side’s success.

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That’s the feeling among many fans too, plenty of whom took to Twitter to share their thoughts on how well Nanai-Seturo, who was the subject of a tug-of-war between New Zealand Rugby and the NRL’s Warriors in 2018, fared against the Highlanders.

RugbyPass columnist Michael Pulman was among those singing Nanai-Seturo’s praise on social media, labelling the young star’s performance as “super impressive”.

Others were simply in awe of Nanai-Seturo’s ability to dance around defenders at will, with one fan saying he was so agile that he “could step you in a phone booth”.

https://twitter.com/dyan__carter/status/1367719058775347203

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Even the All Blacks Sevens, who Nanai-Seturo has played 61 times for in the World Sevens Series and was part of the team’s gold medal-winning side at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, got in on the action on social media.

The Chiefs’ quest to end their torrid run of results will only get tougher next week when they travel to Christchurch to face the Crusaders, but one would expect the reigning champions will be on high alert to the danger Nanai-Seturo poses.

Super Rugby Aotearoa is available to watch live and on-demand on RugbyPass for subscribers in the UK, Ireland, France, Singapore and many more territories across the world who hold a tournament pass.

 

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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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