While the Chiefs have a backline studded with All Blacks, utility back Alex Nankivell has stood out from the pack and is pressing his name for international selection.
The 25-year-old has been a prominent figure in the Chiefs backline since 2017 and the Māori All Blacks since 2019, however his phenomenal form so far this season will likely catch the attention of All Blacks selectors later this year.
However, he is the first to admit that his consistency this season can be put down to the time he has been afforded on-field and the hard work that his fellow backs are putting in when up against formidable defensive units.
“It’s pretty easy when you’re playing consistent minutes. You can build really good habits and I sort of put it down to that and probably not putting too much expectation on myself to perform,” he said on SENZ’s Chiefs Mana.
“Coming into the season I would’ve said (that I prefer to play at) 12, but actually playing at 13 you get a little bit more time and space, and can see things a bit differently to when you play at 12.
“I’m pretty comfortable in both to be honest, but I’d probably lean toward 13 at the moment. I feel as though it suits my game, being able to get to edges of the defence and using my feet to get to weak shoulders and distribute to the outside.
“I’m not like Quinn (Tupaea). He can just run through people like nothing else and that’s probably something that I’ve got to work on at 12, but 13 just gives you that little bit of extra time to get to weak shoulders, so I’d say 13 (is my preference) at the minute.”
The side has been ridden with Covid infections for the last few weeks, however Sunday afternoon's game against the Hurricanes saw the return of first five-eight Josh Ioane, who has slotted into the team effortlessly since moving from the Highlanders this year.
Nankivell believes that both Ioane and Bryn Gatland are fantastic playmakers, however he feels that combining with Ioane has really helped him to improve his game this season.
“Josh loves to play on his instincts and have a crack at the line, so it’s actually quite good as a midfielder because he tends to hold defenders and put us into space on the outside,” he added.
“You saw that on the weekend against the Canes (Hurricanes), he was getting ball out the back and going hard at the line, and then creating space for the outside guys, setting up that try for Anton (Lienert-Brown) in that first half.”
With the ‘Battle of the Bombays’ returning in Round 8 between the Chiefs and the Blues, Nankivell will hope that he can produce another outstanding performance to give his side the edge.
The clash will take place at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday night, with kick-off set for 7:05pm NZT.