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Chiefs make multiple changes as they look to return to winning ways
Looking to bounce back after their surprising defeat to the Queensland Reds in Brisbane on Saturday, the Chiefs have made seven changes to their starting side to play the Fijian Drua.
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While they may have lost a thriller across the ditch in Round Three, the Chiefs are still second on the Super Rugby Pacific on the back of opening-two round wins over the Crusaders and Brumbies.
But with three teams locked on 10 competition points after a few rounds, and a further three teams just behind them on nine, the Chiefs will be desperate to return to winning ways at home.
All Black Josh Lord is set to make a timely return to the Chiefs’ matchday squad, for the first time this season, following injuries to Naitoa Ah Kuoi and Tupou Vaa’i.
Of the changes in the forward pack, Ruben O’Neill has been promoted to the starting side while a new-look lock duo of Manaaki Selby-Rickit and Jimmy Tupou will pack down in the second row.
All Blacks Samipeni Finau and captain Luke Jacobson have both retained their spots in the backrow, but Simon Parker makes way for the always-reliable Kaylum Boshier.
Super Rugby veteran Anton Lienert-Brown returns to the starting side at outside centre, while Shaun Stevenson’s move from wing to fullback has opened the door for Daniel Rona to start in the No. 14 jumper.
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“We are looking forward to hosting the Fijian Drua and the massive challenge they present,” coach Clayton McMillan said in a statement.
“Their willingness to play with flair and enterprise has been impressive and built off the back of a vastly improved set-piece.
“It was disappointing to lose against a tough Reds team, but it put a spotlight on areas of our game we need to improve, and that has been a big focus for us this week.
“Josh Lord’s return is timely given an injury to Naitoa Ah Kuoi and Tupou Vaa’i on an All Blacks load management week.
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“Tom Florence also gets his first opportunity this year after impressing over the pre-season and in training.”
The Chiefs take on the Fijian Drua at Hamilton’s FMG Stadium Waikato at 7.30 pm (NZT) on Saturday evening. Earlier, the Chiefs Manawa will take on Matatu in Super Rugby Aupiki.
Chiefs team to take on Fijian Drua
- Aidan Ross
- Samisoni Taukei’aho
- Reuben O’Neill
- Manaaki Selby-Rickit
- Jimmy Tupou
- Samipeni Finau
- Kaylum Boshier
- Luke Jacobson (c)
- Cortez Ratima
- Damian McKenzie
- Etene Nanai-Seturo
- Rameka Poihipi
- Anton Lienert-Brown
- Daniel Rona
- Shaun Stevenson
Reserves
- Bradley Slater
- Ollie Norris
- George Dyer
- Josh Lord
- Tom Florence
- Xavier Roe
- Josh Ioane
- Quinn Tupaea
Comments on RugbyPass
Danny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
38 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
2 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
34 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
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