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Chiefs dealt numerous injury blows ahead of Moana Pasifika clash
The Chiefs have revealed some good news and bad news on the injury front ahead of their round 11 clash with Moana Pasifika, with a couple of All Blacks sidelined and one of their most promising youngsters returning for the contest.
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Star first five-eighth Damian Mckenzie will miss the match following a concussion against the Western Force, while fellow All Blacks Samipeni Finau and Shaun Stevenson will also spend 3 to 4 weeks and one week on the sidelines respectively.
The news is unfortunately even worse for the injury-prone Josh Lord, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the Super Rugby Pacific campaign due to a knee injury. This follows an ankle injury that has kept the All Black sidelined for the majority of the Super Rugby season to date.
Thankfully, the team welcome back 22-year-old Gideon Wrampling, with the versatile back named in the 23 jersey for the contest.
“When you understand the challenges someone like Gideon Wrampling has been through to get back playing, you can’t help but get excited for him and others who have been diligently waiting for their opportunity to showcase their ability,” Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan said.
“We look forward to being hosted by Moana Pasifika in Culture Week. It was amazing to see the interest and atmosphere generated from their game last week in Tonga, and I’m sure their New Zealand-based supporters will be keen to get along to support them as we head into an important phase for all teams.”
With McKenzie out, young Josh Jacomb has been handed the No. 10 jersey while Manaaki Selby-Rickit fills in for the injured locks and Daniel Rona takes up duties on the left wing as Etene Nanai-Seturo slots into fullback to cover Stevenson.
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The Chiefs touched down with a record 10 tries the last time the two teams met, but McMillan was under no illusions his team face an improved Moana Pasifika outfit this time around.
“We anticipate meeting a fired-up Moana Pasifika team. We know that history is not always a great predictor of your future, so we are taking nothing for granted, despite our recent success against them in round seven,” said McMillan.
“The team has been hit with injuries in recent weeks, predominantly at lock, but we are fortunate to have some depth in that position. No team is immune from injury setbacks in a collision-based sport, and our belief has always been it takes a full squad to go deep in the competition.”
The Chiefs have included each of the matchday 23’s iwi, tribe and/or region in their team naming to celebrate Super Rugby’s culture round.
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Chiefs team to face Moana Pasifika
1. Ollie Norris – Ngapuhi
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho – Fahefa, ‘Ofu Vava’u (Tonga)
3. Reuben O’Neill – Taranaki
4. Manaaki Selby-Rickit – Ngati Raukawa / Ngati Tuwharetoa
5. Tupou Vaa’i – Petani Eua, Koloa Vavau (Tonga)
6. Simon Parker – Northland
7. Luke Jacobson (captain) – Waikato
8. Wallace Sititi – Alafua, Lotopa, Safaatoa, Tufulele (Samoa)
9. Xavier Roe – Coromandel
10. Josh Jacomb – Taranaki
11. Daniel Rona – Te Ati Awa
12. Quinn Tupaea – Tainui
13. Anton Lienert-Brown – Lepea Faleata, Lalo Vaea, and Lotofaga
14. Liam Coombes-Fabling – Waikato
15. Etene Nanai-Seturo – Falelatai and Salelologa Savaii (Samoa)
Reserves
16. Tyrone Thompson – Ngai Tamanuhiri / Ngati Rangiwewehi
17. Jared Proffit – Ngati Porou
18. Sione Ahio – Pea, Niua Toputapu and Alaki Fonua
19. Hamilton Burr – Scotland
20. Kaylum Boshier – Taranaki
21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi – Ngati Pikiao
22. Rameka Poihipi – Te Arawa
23. Gideon Wrampling – Lalomanu Samoa, Alofi Niue
Unavailable for selection: Kaleb Trask (groin), Damian McKenzie (concussion), Shaun Stevenson (hamstring), Samipeni Finau (AC joint/shoulder), Jimmy Tupou (eye socket/nose fracture), Josh Lord (knee).
Comments on RugbyPass
Playoffs featuring 4 or 6 teams would mean the other teams playing meaningless games for longer and a further drop of interest in Australia. But yes a 12 team competition with 8 teams making finals is ridiculous.
5 Go to commentsJoe's picks will be more interesting than Razors. The dumping of Dave Rennie for Jones has to be one of the worst exec decisions of all time. Joe and Dave have similar styles and personalities, the players should like that. Predicting some success for Aus this year. Well more than last year!
2 Go to commentsHey Ben, Thanks for your opinion article. As a die hard rugby tragic and loyal supporter of the game can I say your article seems a touch negative so I would like to offer a slightly different spin on it. I am assuming that the sole purpose of the Super Rugby competition is not just to be a training camp for the International teams but an independent event and competition in its own right with sponsors, media companies and teams that need a financial return. Now, from this rugby fans perspective, I am enjoying the last few weeks of the competition and enjoying the fact that most teams can still make the play offs and nobody wants the wooden spoon. Most rugby followers would agree to it being a travesty if the Crusaders or the Waratahs now made it to the final but history tells us it is very unlikely with the importance of home ground advantage. Playing each team once and a four team final would give the competition integrity and a level playing field for all teams but I would be surprised if it could satisfy the financial demands of the TV rights. Maybe a six team finals series might be a possible compromise.
5 Go to commentsAll good choices John, even the Tah players ha ha. Others that might be worth a look would be ; Cale, Tom Lynagh, Uru, Keunzle, Anstee and maybe Rory Scott because we need a backup to McReight and he has improved a lot from last year and Tim Ryan.
2 Go to commentsWe only have 12 teams - and probably should only have 10. If we cut it down to 10, had a single round robin format, and only had semi-finals and a grand final, the final game would be on the first weekend of May. Meanwhile the AFL (similar to the NRL) runs until the last weekend of September and starts almost a full month after Super Rugby. At least the players would get plenty of rest!
5 Go to commentsAs article says re Japanese Final. Todd Blackadder up against his old mentor/ coach at Canterbury and the Crusaders , Robbie Deans. Both legends in this part of the world. Richie Mo’unga, ( another legend), playing brilliantly for Toddy’s team.Great to hear.
1 Go to commentsNo doubt Razor will want to kick the 2024 campaign off with a decisive selection of the top match fit players to insure his selection as the appointed coach has maximum impact. We the supporters and critics will settle for nothing less because historically it is what we have become ingrained and accustomed to. With that in mind and the distinct fall from grace of his beloved crusaders we will expect him to stamp his mark in the same way he left his old post.
9 Go to commentsI would've expected a better turn around in response to the changes within the team and its management. Lacking in my opinion is the skill sets that once was and now seemingly vacant within the squads regular front runners. Furthermore there seems to be no set game plan, the accuracy that once was is no more, the quality off the bench were poor matchups and frankly I feel a lot has to do with the coaching. Never thought i’d be critising the sadas to this degree.
5 Go to commentsAverage AB captain by recent standards. Speaks to the wider issue
9 Go to commentsWholesome lad, but no longer test level. At all
9 Go to commentsThis game was always going to be close, Canada have such a dominant pack and the Black Ferns have come unstuck in that area against teams like France and England in the past.
2 Go to commentsA distinct discomfort with the officiating they were probably selected from the local IRA narcos branch along with the commentators bloody fly tippers.
1 Go to commentsWow, never thought I would read that
2 Go to commentsExcellent match. Great to see Keenan and Ryan back for Leinster. Super result for Ulster. Season is turning around.
1 Go to comments“We need eight or nine new players, who are hard-wearing and durable and experienced Premiership performers”. So why are they scouting a retired fullback who himself admits that his “body is broken”?
1 Go to commentsBrumbies hand, knocked a Crusaders hand. Therefore, knock on in goal. Crusaders, goal line drop out should’ve been awarded. most likely after that 24 each at full time, so extra time would’ve been the right an entertaining outcome. Act Jim
1 Go to commentsSpeell cehck
1 Go to commentsColeman is gaawwwwnnn.
1 Go to commentsnext SA head coach?
3 Go to commentsGreat try by van Poortvliet.
1 Go to comments