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'Signing of the decade': New Zealand's fullback riches on show as Highlanders' recruit stars
By Ben Smith
Round one of Super Rugby Pacific saw the emergence of New Zealand’s next crop of fullbacks with Chay Fihaki, Zarn Sullivan and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens all scoring doubles.
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New Highlanders recruit Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens tore up Moana Pasifika with a dazzling performance in the No 15 jersey, scoring two tries in the 35-20 win.
His performance lead Otago Daily Times to describe him as a jackpot signing from the Blues. Hayden Meikle wrote he “might be the best signing the Highlanders have made in a decade” after his club debut.
The Taranaki-product scored the game’s first try with some shifty fullback close to the line. Another powerful carry by the fullback helped lay the platform for the Highlanders’ second which was finished by Saula Ma’u from a short ball by halfback Folau Fakatava.
Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens was difficult to tackle all night, beating 10 defenders on his 14 carries as he added some spark to the Highlanders’ attack.
After Moana Pasifika took an unexpected 21-14 lead, it was the Highlanders’ fullback latching onto a gem of a pass by Rhys Patchell from a set-piece play to score a blistering try. In open space the 22-year-old had too much speed for the last man in cover to level proceedings.
🏉🤩 La passe de Rhys Patchell 💎 pour le deuxième essai de Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens 🤩 Le demi d’ouverture gallois fait un bon match 🏴 pour sa première en #SuperRugbyPacific #HIGvMOA
pic.twitter.com/dAaIv1dO7I— Nicolas Dendri (@Nicolasdendri) February 24, 2024
The Highlanders’ No 15 was a sensation in his first start for the new club, but he wasn’t the only fullback to star on the opening weekend.
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At the Blues Zarn Sullivan scored a double as well, although Sullivan’s finishes were relatively easier, while at the Crusaders Chay Fihaki announced himself as a genuine option at fullback as well.
During the second-half comeback after trailing 27-10 at half-time, Fihaki produced a stunner from a planned play from the goal line restart.
From an inside line near the ruck the fullback burst up the middle and showed a turn of pace to split the backfield defenders Shaun Stevenson and Josh Ioane.
Fihaki carves through the Chiefs defence! 🏃♂️💨
? Super Rugby Pacific, Chiefs v Crusaders, live now. Every Match. Ad-free. Live & On Demand on the Home of Rugby, Stan Sport.#StanSportAU #SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/1kZzyu425k
— Stan Sport Rugby (@StanSportRugby) February 23, 2024
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The explosive try was Fihaki’s second of the night after earlier capitalising on the smart work of Dallas McLeod and Rivez Reihana inside to open up the Chiefs’ defence.
For the Hurricanes Ruben Love was equally damaging producing two line breaks, including the initial break to set-up debutant Jordi Viljoen.
With Will Jordan out for the Super Rugby Pacific season and Beauden Barrett currently playing Japan, concerns around who could wear the All Blacks No 15 jersey will subside quickly if these performances continue.
Last year’s breakout star Shaun Stevenson of the Chiefs had his classy moments with two try assists, but it spoke volumes to the depth in New Zealand rugby when other young fullbacks stole the spotlight on the opening weekend.
Another Super Rugby season, another chance to take in the awesome names in Pacific rugby.
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.
— CJ (@CjSonOfAnarchy) February 24, 2024
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens is looking good, Ruben Love and Chay Fihaki looked good yesterday.
Depth at full-back looks healthy.#HIGvMOA #SuperRugbyPacific
— The Rick Sanchez of Rugby 🏉🎯 (@RugbyRickSZ) February 24, 2024
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens is one serious athlete. Electric. Has All Black written all over him.
— HA’LE (@Riggs3660) February 24, 2024
*Ben Smith, *the decision to grab Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens has been amazing for Highlands. To see talented full back/wing combinations & moves New Zealand’s rugby is in good hands….Brilliant start!!
As a Scotland fan but watch a hell of a lot of NZ rugby from afar, Jesus the talent line never stops producing. Full back alone, Mckenzie (likely to be 10), Barrett ( Beauden), Jordan and then you add in Shaun Stevenson, Zarn Sullivan, Ruben Love, Chay Fihaki and Jacob Ratimaitavuki- Kneepkens, bloody hell Razor will have some hard hard decisions come end of June if most of these lads stay fit and play consistently good rugby. I genuinely believe Shaun Stevenson with an elite level head coach at international level will be like a nuclear weapon for the ABs, but if he’s not a started due to a certain Will Jordan then that fellas not to bad is he himself. Most of those lads can also play more than one position also and play them well. Scotland will always be my team but man I’m excited to see how Razor gets that black Jersey firing again in 2024 and beyond.
the crusaders full black let in tries himself if it wasnt for josh iaone we would of dominated
Shooters the man.