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Watch: Slick Rhys Patchell offload sets up Highlanders try

Rhys Patchell of the Highlanders celebrates scoring a try during the round two Super Rugby Pacific match between Highlanders and Blues at AAMI Park, on March 01, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

After two rounds of action, former Wales fly-half Rhys Patchell has made a superb start to his Super Rugby Pacific career with the Highlanders.

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A week after the 30-year-old produced a pinpoint long-range miss pass to create a try in his new side’s opening win over Moana Pasifika, he was at it again in round two.

This time it was a Sonny Bill Williams-esque offload to his winger Jona Nareki to set up a try for Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens against the Blues.

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Rhys Patchell on Leigh Halfpenny injury

Highlanders number ten Rhys Patchell discusses his relationship with currently injured Crusaders fullback, Leigh Halfpenny

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Rhys Patchell on Leigh Halfpenny injury

Highlanders number ten Rhys Patchell discusses his relationship with currently injured Crusaders fullback, Leigh Halfpenny

This silky piece of handling and a try of his own was not enough to bring the Highlanders the win, however, as they fell to their New Zealand rivals 37-29 in Melbourne.

Take a look at the try:

The 22-cap Wales international has made a great start to his Super Rugby career, which is a challenge he recently said he had long wanted to undertake.

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“It came as a bit of a surprise to me when I got a phone call saying, ‘do you fancy it?’ As soon as it came across the desk it was something I was pretty keen on, spins my wheels,” Patchell told RugbyPass.

“The opportunity to come down here, challenge myself in a completely different environment. I knew absolutely nobody at the club, wouldn’t know much about the crop of players that the Highlanders had coming through.

“It’s one of those things that wouldn’t have come again. I’ve said to other people before, I didn’t want to get to the end of my career and have lots of great opportunities but didn’t make the most of any of them or hadn’t taken any of them.

“(I) felt this was something that I absolutely wanted to do and fortunately I have a very supportive fiancé who was on board with the idea as well.

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“It was pretty quick from going, ‘what do you reckon’ to making a decision around it, and then a long wait after that to actually get your feet on the ground and get going.”

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Comments

1 Comment
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MattJH 294 days ago

Rhys Patchell had a brilliant game.

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Hellhound 22 minutes ago
Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

All you can do is hate on SA. Jealousy makes you nasty and it's never a good look. Those who actually knows rugby is all talking about the depth and standards of the SA players. They don't wear blinders like you. The NH had many years to build the depth and players for multiple competition the SA teams didn't. There will be growing pains. Not least travel issues. The NH teams barely have to travel to play an opponent opposed to the SA teams. That is just one issue. There is many more issues, hence the "growing pains". The CC isn't yet a priority and this is what most people have a problem with. Saying SA is disrespecting that competition which isn't true. SA don't have the funds yet to go big and get the players needed for 3 competitions. It all costs a lot of money. It's over using players and get them injured or prioritising what they can deliver with what are available. To qualify for CC, they need to perform well in the URC, so that is where the main priorities is currently. In time that will change with sponsors coming in fast. They are at a distinct disadvantage currently compared to the rest. Be happy about that, because they already are the best international team. You would have hated it if they kept winning the club competitions like the URC and CC every year too. Don't be such a sourmouth loser. See the complete picture and judge accordingly. There is many factors you aren't even aware of at play that you completely ignore just to sound relevant. Instead of being an positive influence and spread the game and help it grow, we have to read nonsense like this from haters. Just grow up and stop hating on the game. Go watch soccer or something that loves people like you.

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