News

PIC Steelers star Etene Nanai-Seturo has re-joined the All Blacks Sevens programme as he aims to go to the Tokyo Olympic Games later this year.

The 21-year-old was originally named in the training squad and excused from Super Rugby duties in 2020 to pursue their Olympic dream but the onset of COVID-19 and the postponement of the Games saw them return to their franchises.

Nanai-Seturo was a stand-out for the PIC Steelers in the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup before linking up with the Chiefs for the 2021 Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa competition, in which the Chiefs made the final.

The Super Rugby franchise confirmed they were supporting Nanai-Seturo’s Sevens bid.

“The Chiefs Rugby Club and Gallagher Chiefs are incredibly supportive of the All Blacks Sevens quest for gold at the Tokyo Olympic Games. We know that Clark runs an outstanding programme,” said Chiefs chief executive Michael Collins.

“Clayton [coach Clayton McMillan] and I are delighted for Etene to have the chance to chase the Olympic dream. It is an incredible opportunity for rugby players to attend one of the world’s pinnacle sporting events.

“Etene is a talented young player and demonstrated his fantastic attacking ability for the Gallagher Chiefs this year in the Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa competition and we wish him all the best in pursuing his Olympic dream,” Collins added.

Nanai-Seturo won a gold medal with the All Blacks Sevens side at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

He should be free to re-join the PIC Steelers after his Olympic campaign.