Chiefs make two injury-enforced changes for McKenzie's 150th game

Chiefs head coach Jono Gibbes has been forced to make some tweaks to his matchday 23 for this weekend’s semi-final against the Crusaders.

Wallace Sititi and Kyle Brown have both been ruled out of the game with concussions, while Leroy Carter will attempt to go again after being a late scratch from last week’s team.

Sititi’s absence sees Simon Parker move to No.8, with Samipeni Finau starting at blindside flanker and Kaylum Boshier coming onto the bench.

Brown’s withdrawal means Lalakai Foketi has been called into the starting XV at centre. Foketi ended up on the bench against the Reds last week, but wasn’t initially named there, with Leroy Carter originally given the green light to return from a hamstring injury before failing a fitness test later in the week.

The Chiefs will be hoping there’s no misfire this week, with Carter again named in the No.23 jersey.

The other big news is that Damian McKenzie has been named to play his 150th game for the Chiefs, a milestone the playmaker said would be special to reach against the Crusaders at home.

“We have been working really hard throughout the year to put ourselves into playoff contention and to play my 150th against the Crusaders in the semifinal is special.

“We are extremely excited for this match and ready to rip in. We know what to expect and we know what we need to do to win.

“In playoff rugby there are small margins and small moments you have to nail. We know if we stay with what is true to us, it will put us in a good position.

“Being at home is great, we love playing in front of our fans and we are excited.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

2

Draws

0

Wins

3

Average Points scored

32

28

First try wins

20%

Home team wins

60%

Chiefs team to play the Crusaders

1. Ollie Norris
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho
3. Sione Ahio
4. Josh Lord
5. Tupou Vaa’i (vc)
6. Samipeni Finau
7. Luke Jacobson (c)
8. Simon Parker
9. Cortez Ratima
10. Damian McKenzie
11. Kyren Taumoefolau
12. Quinn Tupaea (vc)
13. Lalakai Foketi
14. Liam Coombes-Fabling
15. Isaac Hutchinson

Reserves

16. Brodie McAlister
17. Jared Proffit
18. George Dyer
19. Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi
20. Kaylum Boshier
21. Xavier Roe
22. Josh Jacomb
23. Leroy Carter

Injury list

Kyle Brown – Concussion
Tyrone Thompson – Concussion
Wallace Sititi – Concussion – TBC
Daniel Rona – Hand – Season
Emoni Narawa – Foot – Season
Etene Nanai-Seturo – Foot – Season
Jayden Sa – Shoulder – Season