The electric winger is quite a character.
He is quick with a quip. A broad smile rarely slips from his face and he is happy to turn his humour on himself and have a good laugh.
You had to wonder if he was having another laugh when the team was announced on Wednesday.
Nareki was named at centre for this afternoon’s match against the Waratahs at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Wait, what?
After 58 games for the Highlanders — and all of them on the wing — the ‘‘Choc Man’’ has shifted in a spot and will start in the No 13 jersey.
And it is not for the odd match, or just to fill in for the injured Tanielu Tele’a.
Earlier this week, coach Jamie Joseph said he wants to see if Nareki can make the transition. It is a trial run, if you like.
The club expects to have a hole at centre next year and Joseph believes Nareki has the skills to make the spot his own. But first, he wants to see how he goes.
The move is not that out there, really.
Nareki would not be the first winger to slot into the midfield.
Some of his fast-twitch fibres are not twitching as rapidly any more, but his skill level has grown as he has gained experience.
He is still as elusive as ever. His left-foot punt is a major weapon, and his creativity could be a real asset further in.
The question is, can he stop the battering rams who normally slip on the No 13 shirt?
They are more or less all the same these days.
They tend to be very large men — think loose forwards — who crash the ball up to commit the defence and hopefully create space for players like Nareki to work their magic further out.
Nareki is not in that mould. That is not his game.
He has relied on speed, agility and imagination to breach the defence.
It is a big challenge and Nareki is embracing it with his usual allotment of humour.
‘‘I think the boys are trying to hint to me that I’m getting a bit slow and need to move in,’’ Nareki said.
‘‘But I’m excited about the opportunity.
‘‘It’s an important position, I reckon. Feeding the speed, especially with Caleb [Tangitau] and Xavier [Tito-Harris] on the wings. So I think that’s where we’re heading, and hopefully I can fill that position and, as everyone says, feed to speed.
‘‘It’s like a trial match. The last time I did a trial match was maybe for the Otago under-19s.
‘‘It’s giving me that type of vibe.’’
‘‘It’s almost the same as playing wing. You’re just one in, really, and you’re seeing a bit more and you probably get the ball a bit faster.’’
As for the defensive challenges, Nareki said it was about ‘‘nailing my chop tackles’’.
Around the ankles. Works every time, he suggested.
The Highlanders need the experiment to be successful.
Firstly, the need to beat the Waratahs to keep their slim playoff prospects on life support, and secondly, they need Nareki to be successful at centre, so they are not facing a recruitment challenge during the offseason.
Super Rugby Pacific
Dunedin, 4.35pm
Highlanders: Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Caleb Tangitau, Jona Nareki, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-captain), Jonah Lowe, Cameron Millar, Adam Lennox, Nikora Broughton, Lucas Casey, Te Kamaka Howden, Mitch Dunshea, Tomas Lavanini, Angus Ta’avao, Jack Taylor, Ethan de Groot (co-captain).
Reserves: Henry Bell, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, Folau Fakatava, Taine Robinson, Xavier Tito-Harris.
Waratahs: Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i, Lawson Creighton, Sid Harvey, Jack Debreczeni, Jake Gordon, Pete Samu, Charlie Gamble, Angus Scott-Young, Angus Blyth, Miles Amatosero, Daniel Botha, Ethan Dobbins, Isaac Kailea.
Reserves: Folau Fainga’a, Jack Barrett, Apolosi Ranawai, Clem Halaholo, Leafi Talataina, Teddy Wilson, Jack Bowen, Harry Potter.
