'Simply unplayable': How fans reacted to Jona Nareki's man-of-the-match performance against Chiefs
Fans have taken to social media to express their awe of Highlander wing Jona Nareki following his hat-trick during the Highlanders' 39-23 win over the Chiefs in Hamilton on Friday.
Nareki proved to be a crucial figure for the Highlanders in their victory as he posted some outrageous attacking numbers en route to scoring a hat-trick to take him to the top of the Super Rugby Aotearoa try-scoring leaderboard.
The first effort was a 93-metre intercept try whereby he fielded an unconvincing Bryn Gatland attacking kick right by his own tryline. A tight footrace ensued between Nareki and Jonah Lowe, but the former prevailed to score against the run of play.
In the following half, Nareki set up Shannon Frizell with what could be a contender for try of the season as he pounced on a misguided kick near his own 22 before bursting between the joint tackle attempt of Tupou Vaa'i and Sam Cane.
From there, he burst into the opposition half at pace and ploughed over the top of Brad Weber, before flinging an offload into the clutches of the supporting Frizell, who was on hand to cap off a wonderful counter-attacking move.
Not long afterwards, the Highlanders were building a nice attack and knocking on the door of the Chiefs' 22 when the ball was flung out to Nareki, who was stationed near the middle of the park.
Slipping through one would-be tackler, the 23-year-old then sold Etene Nanai-Seturo with a dummy pass before outpacing Reuben O'Neill and powering through a Damian McKenzie cover tackle to score his second of the evening.
His third and final try was probably the easiest of the lot as he had to make a mad dash for the tryline and dot down in the corner, although it required some good finishing prowess as McKenzie and Sean Wainui scrambled across to try and stop him.
All in all, Nareki ran for an incredible 192 metres with ball in hand, beat nine defenders, made five clean breaks and threw an offload to accompany his three tries and try assist.
Highlanders head coach Tony Brown said post-match that it was the type of performance he's come to expect of Nareki.
“He performs like that every week,” Brown said at the post-match press conference.
“He’s an outstanding winger. There’s not many small wingers in New Zealand that perform like him.
“An exceptional night tonight obviously, but for me, he performs like that every week. He’s unreal.”
Unsurprisingly, though, fans have taken to Nareki's performance like wildfire, labelling him the All Blacks Sevens representative as "unstoppable" as the inevitable All Blacks selection discussions came to the fore.
Whether or not Nareki can maintain this level of performance throughout the remainder of Super Rugby Aotearoa remains to be seen, but, if early indications are anything to go by, the Highlanders have a frightening prospect on their hands.
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The way Ratima has been treated he needs to look OS. Same with Perofeta and Love, Hothem too. Razor is a token coach. Gives debuts but very few mins. Also DM too. Just go earn millions elsewhere DM as all you get in NZ is bagging.
BB is coaches favourite and I say let him have BB right thru to the next 2 or maybe even 3 World cups.😁😁 Have JB outside him at 12...That just works so well.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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