After their narrow, ten-point defeat against the Crusaders last week in Hamilton, Chiefs head coach Jono Gibbes has welcomed back 74-Test All Black first-five Damian McKenzie to their starting lineup.
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Chiefs get huge boost as All Black first-five returns for Moana clash
By Henry Lee
McKenzie has been patiently waiting in the wings during the past couple of weeks, itching to get back into action for last season’s runners-up.
The All Blacks first-five has been put straight into the starting No.10 jersey for Friday night, shifting Highlanders-bound Josh Jacomb to the bench.
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Wallaby centre Lalakai Foketi will start in the No.13 spot in place of Daniel Rona, combining with in-form midfielder Quinn Tupaea.
All Black halfback Cortez Ratima, who signed a new deal with the Chiefs and New Zealand Rugby earlier this week, also returns to the starting XV, in place of Xavier Roe.
Roe misses out completely with an ankle injury, being replaced by Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi on the bench.
Tupou Vaa’i is named captain for the round four matchup, with Luke Jacobson out with a hip injury.
Three-Test All Black prop Ollie Norris makes his first Chiefs appearance of the season, making his way onto the interchange bench in the No.17 jersey.
Gibbes, who admitted his team is without some key players, explained that this is an important fixture with an upcoming bye in the near future.
“I think we’ve shown already this year that we have faith in our squad, and this week is no different. We’ve got some injuries, some players have played a lot of rugby already this year, and we have some high-quality players available again,” Gibbes said.
“So it’s a very strong team for a game where we need to respond after we got a punch in the nose by the Crusaders. And we want to play well as it is our last game at home for a while with the bye and then our two weeks in Australia.”
Gallagher Chiefs v Moana Pasifika on Friday at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Benet Kumeroa, Rangiuru
Samisoni Taukei’aho, Fraser Tech
Reuben O’Neill, New Plymouth Old Boys
Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Marist St Pats
Tupou Vaa’i (c), New Plymouth Old Boys
Samipeni Finau, Hamilton Old Boys
Jahrome Brown, Putaruru
Wallace Sititi, Massey North Harbour, Auckland Marist
Cortez Ratima, Piopio Rugby Club
Damian McKenzie, Woodlands
Leroy Carter, Helensvale Hogs, Australia
Quinn Tupaea (vc), Hamilton Old Boys
Lalakai Foketi, Manly Marlins
Emoni Narawa, Tauranga Sports
Liam Coombes-Fabling, Fraser TechReserves
Tyrone Thompson, Napier Tech
Ollie Norris, Hautapu
George Dyer, Fraser Tech
Josh Lord, Coastal Rugby Club
Simon Parker, Otamatea Hawks
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Whakarewarewa
Josh Jacomb, Inglewood United
Kyle Brown, Feilding Yellows
Players unavailable due to injury:
Luke Jacobson – Hip
Xavier Roe – Ankle
Brodie McAlister – Hand – Expected return Rnd 5
Isaac Hutchinson – Knee – Expected return Rnd 8 ENDS
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