Sevu Reece sets sights on new goal after breaking Super Rugby try-scoring record
Crusaders and All Blacks speedster Sevu Reece.
Crusaders speedster Sevu Reece couldn’t hide his delight after breaking the Super Rugby try-scoring record on Friday and revealed that he is hoping to score 100 tries in the competition.
The 28-year-old came into his team’s clash against the Highlanders as the tournament’s joint top try-scorer with former Hurricanes scrum-half TJ Perenara with 65 five-pointers but set a new record when he crossed the whitewash from close quarters in the 14th minute of the Crusaders’ narrow 15-12 victory in Christchurch.
Referee Todd Petrie initially disallowed the try but after TMO Richard Kelly checked television replays the score was awarded.
Play halted to celebrate the feat
Petrie then halted play and pointed to the big screen at Apollo Projects Stadium as Reece‘s milestone was celebrated with video clips of several of his tries during his seven-year stint with the Crusaders.
“No, not at all,” Reece said after the match when asked if he knew play would be halted to acknowledge his fantastic achievement. “Honestly, I was speechless…I’ve watched when basketball players get a milestone and they do that [in the NBA].
“To do that tonight was awesome. To see how far I’ve come, this is a very special moment.”
What makes the All Blacks star’s feat extra special is that he scored his 66 tries it in just 84 matches whereas Perenara made 163 appearances for the Hurricanes for his 65 five-pointers.
Initially, Reece wasn’t sure if he did score his try against the Highlanders as opposing hooker Jack Taylor slapped the ball from his grasp when he grounded it on the line, but said afterwards he was confident he had.
Uncertainty over the try
“It was a tough one,” he added. “As soon as I got it over, all the boys came over and asked ‘was it a try, was it a try?’. I was like, ‘boys, hang on, I know I got it over the line,’.”
Despite having the record to himself now – after Perenara left New Zealand to ply his trade in Japan at the end of 2024 – Reece is aware that Moana Pasifika flyer Julian Savea is not far behind him in third spot on Super Rugby‘s all-time try-scoring list with 63 five-pointers to his name.
“Let’s just hope he doesn’t score three tries on Saturday night [against the Chiefs],” Reece said.
“I’m here now, but it doesn’t stop. I will just keep trying to keep pushing it and see how far we can go, 100 shouldn’t be too far away, too.”
