Chiefs reward breakthrough midfielder with new contract

With accidents sidelining their high midfield choices, a promising begin to the Chiefs’ 2023 season appeared to be on the ropes, that was till Daniel Rona stepped up and confirmed out.

All Blacks Quinn Tupaea and Anton Lienert-Brown have every been out injured for the Chiefs in 2023, the previous having not touched the pitch in any respect whereas rehabbing an ACL harm suffered in final yr’s Bledisloe Cup match. Add to that All Blacks XV standout Alex Nankivell’s absence and the midfield shares appeared to be operating skinny in Waikato.

Daniel Rona started 2023 as a concreter and was initially solely introduced into the Chiefs surroundings on a 30-day coaching contract, however on Friday revealed he has now put pen to paper on a three-year deal.

“I feel it should come out subsequent week,” Rona instructed SENZ The Run Residence. “I’m fortunate sufficient to have signed on (with the Chiefs) for the following three years.

“I’ve all the time needed to be a Chief and after they got here to me and gave me the chance to signal on, I used to be eager as.

“I don’t wish to go wherever else so we simply bought it finished.”

The chance to begin within the Chiefs’ No 13 jersey, often reserved for 59-cap All Black Anton Lienert-Brown, was sudden for Rona, however a possibility the 23-year-old has actually made essentially the most of.

Initially, Rona’s Tremendous Rugby high quality got here by in his defence, with refined work on assault permitting the Chiefs’ stars to shine out large. However, in opposition to the Highlanders he put extra of his skillset on show, putting an unimaginable chip kick into the 22 the place solely Shaun Stevenson may get it for one of many try-assists of the season, earlier than claiming two tries himself.

“It undoubtedly hasn’t been simple,” Rona stated, reflecting on his Tremendous Rugby journey. “It took me fairly a couple of weeks to get used to the workload and the physicality. I’ve began to come back proper however I’m simply loving being in (the thick) of it in the meanwhile.

“I’m going to maintain placing my finest foot ahead.”

The table-topping Chiefs opted to maintain Rona within the beginning lineup for Anton Lienert-Brown’s return, taking part in the All Black at inside centre whereas bringing Alex Nankivell off the bench in opposition to the Highlanders. Coach Clayton McMillan has since returned to his beginning mixture of Lienert-Brown and Nankivell.