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The new look Chiefs have a massive task ahead as they travel down to AMI Stadium for a rematch of last year’s semifinal.
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The Chiefs are entering a new era under Colin Cooper, with Damian McKenzie finally getting his chance in the No 10 jersey.
McKenzie will be looking to outdo his opposite and former schoolboy rival Richie Mo’unga as the pair compete for a spot in the All Blacks 23 over the course of the season.
Here’s our team to take on the Crusaders this Saturday in Christchurch! Are you ready? #CRUvCHI #ChiefsMana pic.twitter.com/fLpGvTgcly
— Gallagher Chiefs (@ChiefsRugby) February 22, 2018
Mo’unga finished last year an All Black and will be looking to tighten his grip on the black jersey.
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Regular Chiefs midfielder Charlie Ngatai will captain his side from fullback, with youngsters Shaun Stevenson and Solomon Alaimalo on the wings.
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Another notable position change is lock/flanker Taleni Seu moving to Number 8. Of the 24-year-old Auckland product, Colin Cooper said “I like his skill, speed and power off the back of the scrum”. Sam Cane is co-captain at openside and Mitchell Brown starts at blindside ahead of Liam Messam.
Scott Robertson’s defending champion Crusaders side features nine All Blacks with 281 test caps between them.
Here's our team for our opening @SuperRugbyNZ game, against @ChiefsRugby, this Saturday right here at home! Don't miss the action, tickets at https://t.co/cppcIQOFwh #CRUvCHI #wewill #crusadeon pic.twitter.com/xhAgsj4tlG
— Crusaders (@crusadersrugby) February 22, 2018
Ryan Crotty will captain the side, playing inside fellow All Black Jack Goodhue.
Up front, Wyatt Crockett and Michael Alaalatoa start at prop in place of injured regulars Joe Moody (shoulder) and Owen Franks (achilles). Sam Whitelock and Luke Romano get the nod at lock, while Jordan Taufua takes over at Number 8 following Kieran Read’s back surgery.
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Flanker Billy Harmon is in line for a Super Rugby debut off the bench.
CHIEFS
1. Aidan Ross, 2. Nathan Harris, 3. Nepo Laulala, 4. Brodie Retallick, 5. Dominic Bird, 6. Mitchell Brown, 7. Sam Cane (C), 8. Taleni Seu, 9. Brad Weber, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Solomon Alaimalo, 12. Johnny Fa’auli, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 14. Shaun Stevenson, 15. Charlie Ngatai (C).
Reserves: 16. Liam Polwart, 17. Atunaisa Moli, 18. Angus Ta’avao, 19. Liam Messam, 20. Lachlan Boshier, 21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22. Marty McKenzie, 23. Sean Wainui.
CRUSADERS
1. Wyatt Crockett, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Michael Alaalatoa, 4. Luke Romano, 5. Sam Whitelock, 6. Peter Samu, 7. Matt Todd (C), 8. Jordan Taufua, 9. Bryn Hall, 10. Richie Mo’unga, 11. George Bridge, 12. Ryan Crotty (C), 13. Jack Goodhue, 14. Seta Tamanivalu, 15. David Havili.
Reserves: 16. Ben Funnell, 17. Chris King, 18. Oliver Jager, 19. Scott Barrett, 20. Billy Harmon, 21. Mitchell Drummond, 22. Mitchell Hunt, 23. Manasa Mataele.
Comments on RugbyPass
Pretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
3 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
3 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
3 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
6 Go to comments