Personally, I don’t want this game to become too emotional, I don’t need to prove anything, I just need to do my job.
Those were the words of New Zealand-born Fijian outside back Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens who has been hailed as one of the Highlanders’ best signings in a decade as they prepare to take on his former team the Blues tonight in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific Super Round in Melbourne.
Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens played for the Blues 13 times from 2021 to 2023 where he competed with All Blacks Stephen Perofeta and Beauden Barrett at fullback, so he often played on the wing where All Blacks Mark Telea and Caleb Clarke featured.
He says it has been a funny week because he know those guys well, how they play and what they think.
The 23-year-old says they have got an attacking mindset to do well, as they have identified some areas where they think they can hurt them.
Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens says his main priority is to inject himself into the backline and create attacking momentum.
He says he is so lucky to have former All Black Ben Smith on the coaching staff of the Highlanders.
The Highlanders play the Blues at 7 tonight.
In other matches, the Rebels will face the Force at 9.10 tonight, the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua play Moana Pasifika at 6pm tomorrow, the Crusaders face the Waratahs at 8.35pm tomorrow, the Chiefs will play the Brumbies at 3pm Sunday, while the Hurricanes will meet the Reds at 5.30pm Sunday.
Source: Rugbypass
