Chase Tiatia is set to make his Super Rugby debut, but the youngster is just one of many vying to get the attention of Chiefs coach Dave Rennie in 2016.
Tiatia is just one of twelve uncapped young players in the Chiefs squad for Super Rugby this season. Dave Rennie is famous for breading new, undiscovered talent, and the Chiefs coach says that everyone, including Tiatia, will get a chance to impress this season.
Tiatia and fellow new to Super Rugby players decided to go on a preseason camp together late last year in an effort to get to know each other ahead of a busy season, the groups first as professionals.
“We went on a camp down the Wanganui River before Christmas, and that got us together before we met up with the rest of the squad” Tiatia told me.
The 20-year old struggled to adjust to life as a professional rugby player with the added workload. After representing the Bay of Plenty Steamers in the 2015 ITM Cup, Tiatia didn’t expect to be called up to rugby at the next level as soon as he was.
“Coming off the ITM Cup season I was a bit out of condition, so the trainers here [at The Chiefs] were working me real hard so now I am feeling good,” Tiatia said.
Tiatia first played for the Wellington Lions, before moving provinces to the Bay of Plenty for the 2015 season. He managed four tries with consistent starts last year, and while being a utility option, prefers to play his rugby on the wing.
During pre season, Tiatia says he has a lot to work on but is keen to be a stand out at training. “I probably have to work on everything, but if I can just keep putting my hand up at training and performing well then hopefully I can get a shot” Tiatia hopes.
Tiatia will likely get his chance to get some game time during a preseason trial match against the Waratahs in Rotorua on Friday.
Coach Dave Rennie says that all players ‘young and old’ in the Chiefs will be given a run during the regular season if they can perform well in pressure situations, and show their own individual talents.
Tiatia is also a former Samoan U-20 representative (pictured) from the World Cup last year.
“Main photo”
