Player Etene Nanai

[Jordan G]

This info was over on LU (An Iron Lion original)

Apparently we've signed a 15 year old Etene Nanai - cousin of both Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Tim Nanai Williams. There was a lot of interest in him. Anybody heard anything/got confirmation?

 

[mt.wellington]

This info was over on LU (An Iron Lion original)

Apparently we've signed a 15 year old Etene Nanai - cousin of both Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Tim Nanai Williams. There was a lot of interest in him. Anybody heard anything/got confirmation?

We've signed a boat load of new juniors for the 2016 season including John Acklands son Eidan.

Etene Nanai is another one we've signed from Rugby Union. St Kents for that matter. Believe they won the Auckland Secondary School comp this year. ramraider78 isnt he a Mangere East junior? Pretty sure he also played for Otahuhu...

 

[mt.wellington]

What about raiding the union feilds for a big foward and fast winger.
We could have them playing next weekend like the hayne plane did.

Anthony Nanai is the next Roger Tuivasa-Sheck coming through Auckland Rugby. Sure he'll already be on a few radars...

 

[Five&Last]

Anthony Nanai is the next RTS coming through Auckland Rugby. Sure he'll already be on a few radars...

Etene Nanai? Thought we had already signed him? Had an incredible try in the 1st XV semis on the weekend (1.05 min in this vid
- )

 

[Beastmode]

Etene Nanai? Thought we had already signed him? Had an incredible try in the 1st XV semis on the weekend (1.05 min in this vid
- )

That was pathetic defence by Sacred. Happy they won though -St Kents trying to buy their way to a championship again with all the their imports. Shameful.

Nanai's got a useful shimmy, but can he tackle????

 

[ramraider78]

Etene Nanai? Thought we had already signed him? Had an incredible try in the 1st XV semis on the weekend (1.05 min in this vid
- )

He's already signed for NYC - Playing club league this weekend

 

[Tony Martin]

He's already signed for NYC - Playing club league this weekend

He's easily the best school boy player I have seen for years. Are 100% sure he's signed up. He played for a Chiefs development side a couple of weeks back

 

[ramraider78]

He's easily the best school boy player I have seen for years. Are 100% sure he's signed up. He played for a Chiefs development side a couple of weeks back

NZ Warriors announced his signing last year or this year;his older brother pretty good himself,he's 20 years old. He should be playing this week in a GF

 

[Five&Last]

NZ Warriors announced his signing last year or this year;his older brother pretty good himself,he's 20 years old. He should be playing this week in a GF

Is he playing NYC next year or the year after? He still has another year of school left and he's probably required to play 1st XV while attending St Kents as he'd most likely be on a scholarship.

 

[ramraider78]

Is he playing NYC next year or the year after? He still has another year of school left and he's probably required to play 1st XV while attending St Kents as he'd most likely be on a scholarship.

Yes the scholarship thing has been a sticking point I heard, there's another player in that team who has been signed by the Warriors Dakota Taimani , plays in the halves; There's another 2 x who I heard were on the NYC radar for Australia but had the blues development knocking on there door , 2nd rower and a prop; All 4 boys are at St Cheque book on scholarships but have league backgrounds. Etene is something to watch up close in space, if he's managed properly and follows the training regime he could be the next big thing for the warrior 20's IMO

 

[mt.wellington]

Yes the scholarship thing has been a sticking point I heard, there's another player in that team who has been signed by the Warriors Dakota Taimani , plays in the halves; There's another 2 x who I heard were on the NYC radar for Australia but had the blues development knocking on there door , 2nd rower and a prop; All 4 boys are at St Cheque book on scholarships but have league backgrounds. Etene is something to watch up close in space, if he's managed properly and follows the training regime he could be the next big thing for the warrior 20's IMO

Im trying to remember if Albert Vete played for the Warriors while still attending SKC? Wouldnt be surprised to see the school make the boys play 1st XV. We're talking about full scholarships worth around $15,000 a year. They might be clear to play now that SKC are no longer playing in the College 1A.

He's easily the best school boy player I have seen for years. Are 100% sure he's signed up. He played for a Chiefs development side a couple of weeks back

Yeah thats why I was amazed when people said he was signed as I saw him play for Chiefs development just last month. Rugby Union will be kicking themselves for losing out to us...

 

[6 Again]

Is it true he's the cousin of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck? they've got the same left foot step.

 

[ramraider78]

Is it true he's the cousin of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck? they've got the same left foot step.

I don't know - Otara boys though and Otahuhu leopard juniors.

Im trying to remember if Albert Vete played for the Warriors while still attending SKC? Wouldnt be surprised to see the school make the boys play 1st XV. We're talking about full scholarships worth around $15,000 a year. They might be clear to play now that SKC are no longer playing in the College 1A.


Yeah thats why I was amazed when people said he was signed as I saw him play for Chiefs development just last month. Rugby Union will be kicking themselves for losing out to us...

Albert Vete I'm sure was finished school when he was in the Warriors 20's? He signed for us in the Shaman Had his first taste of Jungle footy against Otara out there lol still remember the look on his face from that 1st game. Mind you the club has given leeway this season to boys playing union for there school and playing for the 20's if there avalibale while not being signed to a local club - Melino Fineranganofo and Isaiah Papalii. I heard there were clauses in those SKC scholarships, about playing league during the season - our club has had a few of those boys over the years.

 

[6 Again]

I don't know - Otara boys though and Otahuhu leopard juniors.

Jordan G may know more about him, a post from him earlier this year "Apparently we've signed a 15 year old Etene Nanai - cousin of both RTS and Tim Nanai Williams."

https://www.nzwarriors.com/threads/warriors-recruitment-and-rumour-mill-2016.45790/page-2

Incidentally Tim Nanai Williams is also a cousin of SBW and brother of Nick Williams who played for the Blues so in horse racing parlance Etene Nanai has incredible blood lines.

 

[mt.wellington]

Have moved all the posts about Etene Nanai to his own player profile. The first post about Etene that 6 Again quotes Jordan G was actually something he reported from LU by the worlds best Warriors insider Iron Lion. That post is the first one in this thread now.

Jordan G may know more about him, a post from him earlier this year "Apparently we've signed a 15 year old Etene Nanai - cousin of both RTS and Tim Nanai Williams."

https://www.nzwarriors.com/threads/warriors-recruitment-and-rumour-mill-2016.45790/page-2

Details are light on his height, weight, etc. He's also known as Etene Nanai-Seturo. Found a pic of him for the 2016 Warriors U20 squad.

​

Also found some pics of him playing for the Auckland U15 Development team in 2013 and the New Zealand Resident U16 in 2014.

​

ramraider78 is he a Mangere East junior? Believe he's played for a few clubs now including Otara and Otahuhu. First started playing college rugby at Sir Edmund Hillary College in 2011.

One of the reasons why the guy hasnt played for the Warriors yet is because he cant legally do so until this Saturday when he turns 17 lol. The kids only 16!!!

 

[Tony Martin]

Doesn't look like we will be seeing him anytime soon..

 

[Inruin]

Doesn't look like we will be seeing him anytime soon..
View attachment 22378

he could give some of the 'professional' players tips on how to use social media positively. very well done, young man.

 

[kiwileaguefan]

League: Rugby's latest social media sensation snapped up by Warriors
By Campbell Burnes, David Skipwith
11:28 AM Wednesday May 3, 2017

The Warriors have won a tug-of-war with rugby union to secure the services of the hottest teenage athletic prospect in Auckland.

Viral footage of Etene Nanai, a cousin of Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, former Chiefs' Samoan centre Tim Nanai-Williams and Blues outside back Melani Nanai, starring at centre for St Kentigern College First XV is wowing social media audiences and raising the question of who has nabbed the signature of the fast-rising 17-year-old.

Warriors development manager Tony Iro confirmed Nanai was signed to the NRL club until the end of 2019 and also revealed coach Stephen Kearney wanted to unleash him in the Auckland Nines in February but he was ruled ineligible due to age restrictions.

The Warriors are happy for him to concentrate on rugby during his final school year but there is a possibility he could turn out for the club's Under 20s side once his First XV commitments have finished.

"He's been with the club for a couple of years but First XV is his priority at the moment," said Iro.

"He's a talented and smart kid and pretty well balanced. He's quick, got good feet and a good footy sense as well, so he's got all the attributes you need. He'll be a good player.

"He spent a little bit of time with the NRL side just before Christmas and did some training but he'll just stay with his First XV side this year before joining us in the preseason."

Warriors back-rower Ryan Hoffman said Nanai made a big impression when he left star halfback Shaun Johnson clutching at air during pre-season training.

"He stood out when he gave Shaun a bit of his own back," said Hoffman.

"We were doing a one- on-one defensive drill and he turned Shaun inside out so that certainly raised a few eyebrows.

"I don't think he could wipe the smile off his face after that."

Auckland-born and bred, Nanai was a standout at fullback in St Kentigern's 2015 Auckland 1A title win and is now proving a YouTube hit after dominating in midfield to help his side win last week's Presbyterian quadrangular tournament and a pre-season match against Christchurch Boy's High.

St Kentigern First XV coach Tai Lavea says he is happy to give Nanai a new challenge, both defensively and organisationally, at centre.

"He's got a lot to learn, but it's a no-brainer that he's one of our marquee players," said Lavea. "He's an abrasive player, he's come back in ridiculous shape and his confidence in contact has gone to another level."

The High School Top 200 website, which unofficially ranks the top First XV players in the country, has Nanai at No3, behind Wellington College lock Naitoa Ah Kuoi and Hastings Boy's first-five Lincoln McClutchie.

Despite his lofty status, Nanai - like fellow Warriors rookie forward and former Mt Albert Grammar First XV star Isaiah Papali'i - was ruled ineligible for the New Zealand Schoolboys rugby side after committing to the 13-man game.

The Warriors are keeping an open mind about where he could slot in through the backline and an eventual move into the halves is not beyond him.

"He's come through the grades as a fullback but he can play centre or wing very easily and has an accurate punt on him, so who knows if he could transfer those skills into the halves," said Iro.

"Time will tell but he's got plenty of skills that will give him the best chance to play a number of positions."

The Warriors secured Nanai's services despite plenty of interest from the Chiefs, who lured him to an Under 18s camp last year from under the nose of his local franchise the Blues.

"I know him well," said Rennie. "We talk to lots of good young kids. As you know, he's been signed by the Warriors, so whether he stays in rugby or goes to league, we'll see what happens."

Rennie admits he would love to see him at the Chiefs, or even in another Warriors jersey.

"I'd love to see him in a Glasgow jumper, but that's probably not going to happen," he quipped.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11849157

 

[Makasene]

Am I missing something here?

Is this an insight into why our juniors tend not to develop as well as those through the Aussie system?

If an Aussie club signed a 17 year old and bought him over to Aus, would he be playing first 15 rugby?

Did I really just read a protege we have signed isn't playing 20s but First 15 Rugby for his school?

 

[fizurg]

He's playing rugby in probably one of the best nurserys in the world for either code. He's been offered a top notch scholarship which sadly none of the top league schools can match. I can totally see why the Warriors are working with this system and not trying to fight it.
If i had a tallented kid and the Warriors wanted him to drop his education to have a shot at playing for them I would politely let them know where the door was.