Nareki already making super impression

It helps quell the nerves, he says.

The Highlanders left winger has had plenty to smile about over the past three weeks.

The 22-year-old has made a seamless transition to Super Rugby.

He has touched down in each of his first three matches, showing all the flair he has exhibited for Otago over the past two years.

Despite that, he was quick to deflect the praise to his fellow backs.

‘‘I think it all goes down to my insides,’’ he said.

‘‘They’re doing all the work and giving me the easy job of dotting down on the outsides.’’

While the step up in level may have appeared easy, Nareki did admit he had noticed it.

The game was faster and he had felt it in his lungs, particularly in his debut against the Sharks.

Highlander Jona Nareki has a little fun during a break in training at Logan Park in Dunedin yesterday. Photo: Gregor Richardson

That debut came at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, where he has scored many electric tries while wearing blue and gold.

This time he did it wearing a Highlanders jersey in front of a much bigger crowd.

‘‘It wasn’t as nerve-racking as I thought it would be, especially my debut.

‘‘To have it at Forsyth was special and it wasn’t nerve-racking, just because I’ve played in Forsyth for a while, so it was good to get it under there.’’

Nareki said the coaches had given him the freedom to express himself and make use of his flair.

Likewise they had not looked to alter his playing frame, preferring him to run around players rather than into them.

Assistant coach Tony Brown said while Nareki was electric, it was his ability to execute moves that made him valuable.

‘‘He’s a quality rugby player. He’s got a bit of X-factor.

‘‘But ultimately he just executes really well under pressure and makes the right decision all the time.

‘‘He’s had a great start and we’ll see if we can get some more out of him.’’

After a win and a loss on the road the past two weeks, Nareki was looking forward to getting back under the roof at the stadium against the Rebels on Friday.

While he had not noticed the crowd so much last home game, he thought that might be different this time around.

‘‘No doubt I’ll notice it this week.’’ He was ‘‘looking forward to the Zoo being packed’’.