Tamanivalu eyes Sonny Bill link-up

Editor

ITM Cup star Seta Tamanivalu has set his sights on a starting spot at outside centre for the Chiefs during the upcoming Super Rugby season.

The 22-year-old, who shone in New Zealand’s provincial tournament, is expected to battle it out with Andrew Horrell, Charlie Ngatai and Tim Nanai-Williams for the 2015 jersey alongside Sonny Bill Williams.

And he admits it would be a “special moment” if he was to lock down the 13 spot and line up with the All Black, who is one of his heroes.

“This is a big step for me from ITM Cup to Super Rugby – it’s way different – but my goal is to get a spot in the starting line-up,” he told the Waikato Times.

“It’s going to be tough for me as a player to get ahead of those boys, especially when they’ve been playing for so long at Super level. So, for me in my first year, it’s still a learning curve but it’s good to have them around me to help me as well.”

He added: “It’s going to be a special moment for me to get a start and to play with Sonny. He was my favourite player when I was young, growing up in Fiji.”

“I looked up to him and I never expected I’d end up playing in the same team as him so it’s a massive thing for me.”