Emoni Narawa of the Chiefs scores a try during the round seven Super Rugby Pacific match between Chiefs and Moana Pasifika at FMG Stadium Waikato, on April 06, 2024, in Hamilton, New Zealand. (Photo by Michael Bradley/Getty Images) Photo: Michael Bradley/Getty Images
Chiefs winger Emoni Narawa is happy he has come through an injury-free Super Rugby Pacific season for the first time since he started playing in the competition.
Named to start against the Brumbies in Hamilton on Saturday night, Narawa said his main aim has been to stay healthy and fit so that he could play his part in helping the Chiefs in their 2025 campaign.
Narawa, born and raised in Fiji before he made the transition to further his education and rugby career in New Zealand, said the Chiefs know what they will be up against in the second semi-final at the FMG Stadium, where they will face the only Australian team to make the top four.
"I think for me, the main thing was just to stay fit, no injuries," Narawa told RNZ Pacific this week, reviewing his own game and season.
"It's probably the first time I've ever played round one since I started Super Rugby. I always seem to be in the injury side of things at the start of the season.
"I think that's probably the positive thing."
He believes the 2025 series has been the best Super Rugby Pacific season so far.
Tight matches, close results and the fight for only six spots made it exciting, he said.
Emoni Narawa of the Chiefs scores a try during the Super Rugby Pacific round 7 match between the Chiefs and Moana Pasifika at FMG Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand on Saturday April 06, 2024. Copyright photo: Aaron Gillions / www.photosport.nz Photo: Aaron Gillions / www.photosport.nz
"It's been probably one of the best Super Rugby season and even the Aussie teams are starting to compete," he said.
"Everyone's competitive. Now you can't go into games thinking you'll have an easy game.
"Last weekend, the Blues boys showed you don't have to be the best team in the season - you just have to be the best team on the night."
The Chiefs lost their number one status last weekend when they went down 20-19 to the Blues at home.
But they qualified for the semi-finals as the top-ranked losing team.
Game plan
Against the Brumbies, Narawa said each player needs to do their part of the job and the team needs to stay focused as a whole group, and stick with their game plan.
"Going into this weekend, it is really important that we take each day that comes, nail our trainings and take confidence in going to the game," the former Queen Victoria School student, from Tailevu in Fiji, said.
"Even though we lost last week, there's a couple of positive things that came out the game. For us, it's just take confidence in those positive things, and keep building on the stuff we need to work on, stay confident in the game and hopefully get the result.
"We're just going to play our game. We've got a good plan around them this weekend and we just need to make sure that we stick to our plan and trust our system."
Narawa played rugby at QVS alongside Fijian Drua's Ratu Meli Derenalagi and Highlanders' co-captain Timoci Tavatavanawai.
Super Rugby's top try-scorer Sevu Reece was also a product of the all boys' school, whic has dominated the annual Fiji Secondary School Deans Trophy competition in the last 85 years.
Photo: Getty Images / Hannah Peters
All Blacks chance
With Super Rugby coming to its final rounds of matches, Narawa has had to keep the possibility of an All Blacks re-call at the back of his mind, with the Chiefs campaign being the focus.
He said he would be happy to answer the call, but added that competition for the wingers' berths has been tight.
Injury ruled him out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup but his form this season has been consistent.
"I think it's been a really tight competition with all the wingers," he said.
"Well, I am the outside at the moment. Tim [Tavatavanawai] has been going really well. Sevu [Reece] has been going really well.
"I think for me, it's just probably just controlling what I can, not to focus on that stuff.
"I am going to put my best foot forward for the Chiefs, and then hopefully the opportunity comes up."
Blues' Caleb Clarke - who has signed another two-year deal with the franchise - Reece, Chiefs' Leroy Carter and Hurricanes pair Bailyn Sullivan and Fatafehi Fineanganofo have all been impressive this season.
Mark Tele'a is leaving New Zealand for Europe, which means someone else will be named in his place.
Narawa said the support from his family, wife Danielle, and daughter, Miller, plus the family in Fiji has been his inspiration.
"They are the reason why I do what I do," he said.
"Obviously, back at home in Fiji, I got mom and dad and I usually call them before every game. Dad has got his own game plans, but they're pretty massive part of my career."
Emoni Narawa (C) from the Chiefs avoids a tackle from Jed Holloway (R) from the Waratahs. Photo: David Gray/Photosport
Pasifika players in semi-finals teams
Meanwhile, Narawa is one of the many players with Pasifika heritage named to play this weekend.
On Friday night, the Crusaders will have George Bower, Christian Lio-Willie, Sevu Reece, David Havili and Chay Fihaki in their lineup.
The Blues will have Joshua Fusitu'a, Patrick Tuipulotu, Hoskins Sotutu, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele'a, Jordan Lay and Angus Ta'avao.
In Hamilton on Saturday, the Chiefs will have Narawa, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa'i, Samipni Finau, Wallace Sititi, Quinn Tupaea and Jimmy Tupou.
Brumbies captain Allan Ala'alatoa leads the Pasifika heritage players in his side, which also has Rob Valetini, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Noah Lolesio, David Feliuai, Len Ikitau, Lington Ieli and Feao Fotuaika.
The Crusaders host the Blues at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch, scheduled to kick off at 7.05pm on Friday.
The Chiefs square off against the ACT Brumbies at the FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, at 7.05pm on Saturday.
