MELANI Nanai revealed he had been out to repay the “trust” of the new coaching staff at Warriors by seizing his second chance at full-back.

The 27-year-old got sent off 18 minutes into his first appearance in the number-15 jersey for Warriors last month but produced a stirring comeback from suspension against Bristol on Friday, one of the few positives to come from a 36-13 defeat.

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Nanai explained his determined display, which included his first try for the club, had been partly fuelled by his past indiscretion but also the faith placed in him by coaches hoping to embed a new style of play at Sixways.

“It felt really good,” said Nanai.

“I was really disappointed with the red card in the first game back, coming back from injury I was eager to put in shots and I definitely wanted to make it up to the boys and play the full 80 minutes.

“I was eager to play and show what I can do.”

Jonathan Thomas, Mark Irish and Matt Sherratt had all been due to begin an overhaul of the coaching staff at Sixways over the summer but have ended up coming in mid-season following delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The whole culture and vibe, they have brought a new energy to the group with the themes and strategies they come with,” said Nanai.

“I think the style they want to play suits us players as well and this (the rest of this season) is a good opportunity for us to get used to it all.

“Last year we played a lot of the kicking game but now we want to play a lot more and spin the ball around so it is a bit different.

“I never got the chance to play full-back before lockdown but with the new coaches having the trust in me to play at the back so it is a chance for me to show what I have got at full-back.”

He certainly did that on Friday despite Warriors being overwhelmed in the second half.

Worcester had led 13-10 at half-time thanks to a pair of Duncan Weir penalties and a converted try from star performer Nanai.

Bristol had threatened in flashes during the first half and should have led at the break only for Kyle Sinckler to drop the ball when destined to score on the stroke of half-time but Warriors had no answer to the questions asked in the second half.

Semi Radradra was unplayable all game and at the heart of most Bears breaks with Dan Thomas, Siale Piutau and fleet-footed replacements Ben Earl and Andy Uren adding tries to the early opener provided by Ed Holmes.

But despite coming up short, Nanai still believes Worcester can make the most of the free hit they have with Saracens confirmed as the club heading down this season.

“I think we showed we have a good team in that first half but Bristol showed their class and why they are a top-four team, they put on a lot of pressure and we found that hard to cope with,” he added.

“It is a good opportunity. This is a different season, we won’t get relegated so it is a good chance for the boys to try different combinations and even give the young boys a shot in the Premiership, giving them experience for the future.

“Every game is a game to improve, even though we have nothing to lose we want to go out there and show what we can do and get the confidence to play with each other for next season.”